The Removal of Texas History – The Alamo Cenotaph

Standing at the base of the Alamo Cenotaph, Lee Spencer White is surrounded by descendants of the Alamo defenders during a rally in San Antonio on Saturday, October 14 to save the memorial dedicated to the fallen Alamo heroes. White is the founder of Alamo Defenders Descendants and is a descendant of Gordon C. Jennings who died defending the Alamo.

She is an ardent Alamo historian with a deep desire for preserving Texas history.  Her commitment and determination to save the 60 ft. high 40 ft. long cenotaph located in front of the Alamo inspired well over 150 attendees to rally around her cause, to keep the memorial from being removed.

The City of San Antonio council voted to remove the memorial, at times called the ‘Spirit of Sacrifice’, in May of 2017 with approval from George P. Bush the present Texas Land Commissioner.  The land where the memorial sits is on city property and that would give the San Antonio council the last word in removing the memorial. City councilman Roberto Trevino from District 1 has been the most vocal in removing the cenotaph with Mayor Ron Nierenberg advocating the same. The trouble is that there is no designated location for the Alamo Cenotaph after it is removed other than a ‘small park on Market Street’.  Jerry Patterson, former Texas Land Commissioner has concerns that the cenotaph might be removed never to be seen again.

San Antonians, Texans and freedom loving Americans should question the motive to remove the Alamo Cenotaph from its present location. We must all be careful that the defenders of the Alamo are given the proper respect and place in our Texas history and that their legacy does not go the way of so many of our civil war monuments.  White in her speech said, “This is where their bodies died.  This is where the soul left that body.  What more appropriate place than right where it sits.”

In 1937 Italian sculptor Pompeo Coppini was commissioned to erect the present day memorial ‘Spirit of Sacrifice’ at Alamo Plaza.  The names inscribed over the figures on the East side are James Bonham and James Bowie and on the West side figures are the leaders William Travis and David Crockett.  The names of the Defenders are carved along the base of the memorial.  It is an empty tomb honoring the heroes that gave their lives defending the Alamo Mission, Mission San Antonio de Valero, during the 13 day siege from February 23 to March 6, 1836.  It is estimated by some accounts that the Mexican Army led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was 4,000 men strong against a few brave men willing to die for freedom.   The number of defenders during the battle was no more than 250.

 

The burial place of the heroes is also in question.  Many believe that the defenders were burned on the spot of the memorial.  White mentioned three known burial pyres with the San Fernando Cathedral being the most well-known.   A coffin is displayed as you enter the cathedral through the left doors.  The three part inscription to the side of the coffin reads:  CENTER - Here lie the remains of Travis, Crockett, Bowie and other Alamo heroes.  The Archdiocese of San Antonio erected this memorial May 11 A.D. 1938 R.I.P.  LEFT – formerly buried in the sanctuary of the Old San Fernando Church RIGHT – Exhumed July 28, 1936 exposed to public view for a year entombed May 11, 1938

Ray Myers, Tea Party leader from Kaufman County, Texas was just as passionate about saving the Alamo Cenotaph.  His speech emphasized that, “the cenotaph represents us the people of Texas and our heroes that died here.  We cannot let the Left (or anyone) drive a stake through the heart of Texas.”

George P. Bush the present Land Commissioner has apparently made it his mission to ‘reimagine’ the Alamo by bringing equality to the battle between the Mexicans and the Texans and perhaps using this for his personal political stepping stone to higher office.  That is his ‘reimagine’ in a nut shell.  We all understand that Texas needs the Hispanic vote to remain conservative.  You don’t have to ask, all you have to do is see what is actually happening.  In a city where the Hispanic is the majority, we know that soon the state will also be a Hispanic majority.  So if he has to soften the history of the Alamo he most certainly will.  He has partnered with the San Antonio city council mayor Ron Nierenberg and the most progressive council to date.  Knowing how progressive the San Antonio council is, it should not surprise anyone if a bust of Santa Anna is placed in the heart of the Alamo. 

Speaking to White, I learned that the State Historical commission is deaf in hearing that the Alamo Cenotaph is in clear and present danger to be removed forever.  Do not think that this is a passing fancy of these people who thrive on the ignorance of their constituents.   Our Texas history is about to go the way of the dinosaurs never to reappear again.  Children in our schools are being indoctrinated on the evil Christopher Columbus, the racist Civil War and the Alamo which belonged to Mexico.

We must take up arms to protect the Alamo Cenotaph as it could be our last stand.  When the monument, if relocated, is placed where no one can see it, then it will be our dishonor our Texas legacy that will be buried along with the ashes of the Heroes of the Alamo.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!

THE RED REPORT ©

 
Say NO to the REMOVAL of the ALAMO CENOTAPH

 

George P. Bush Commissioner of General Land Office
G.L.O. Main Phone - (800) 998-4456

512 463 5001

 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR ABBOTT
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John L Nau, III
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