REMEMBER THE ALAMO!

I know I will!

The system I use to post blogs onto this site doesn't allow me to insert the pictures where I would like to within the text, so just a quick re-cap. The top picture is of course the most famous one of the Alamo. Underneath that is the dedication carved onto the memorial which sits outside the walls.

It reads: In memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives at The Alamo, March 6 1836, in the defense of Texas. "They chose never to surrender nor retreat; these brave hearts with flag still proudly waving, perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding of this Texas."

Underneath that we have the flag of Texas, waving proudly on top of an adjacent building and then finally - ME - something I almost never do, but here is a picture of me taken yesterday on this hallowed ground.

I learnt a lot yesterday. I discovered that the Alamo fell on my birthday! No, not in 1836. I'm old, but not quite that old! But the date is my birthday. It was a special and instant connection for me. It was a special day on so many levels. I also discovered that more than 10% of the defenders were in fact English. I truly had no idea. There were some Irish and Scots and even a couple of Germans, but there were a LOT of English. It's kind of funny to think that the people of the US and the UK have fought side by side in the name of freedom for so long - and so soon after that first fight for freedom FROM the British was successfully concluded north of the Texas border.

The Alamo. What do those words conjure up for you? Before yesterday it was about heroism of people who against overwhelming odds, stood and fought. It was courage or stupidity, I was never really sure which. But after yesterday, I gained a new understanding. It was about freedom.

There are few things that I would lay my life down for. My daughters are at the very top of this very short list. Right behind that though, comes freedom. I would fight and die so that others would be able to live in freedom in this greatest of nations. I know that now. I thought that before yesterday, but I know it to be true today.

You see within hours of the Alamo falling, news of this great battle had begun to spread across Texas and men by the hundreds rallied to the rebel cause.

"REMEMBER THE ALAMO" was the battle cry that rang out across the prairies. And it was a shout that made the world shudder.

I knew the battle cry when I was a young boy in England. I didn't know what it meant then and frankly, until yesterday I never truly understood what it meant at all.

What does this have to do with today? Well remarkably we have that same spirit in our fighting men and women. They are all prepared to die in the name of freedom. Remember Mikey Monsoor and William "Spanky" Gibson who I have written about in these pages. They would all defend a weak fortress against ridiculous odds so that you and I were able to continue living in freedom.

The major difference today is that we don't have the leaders we did then. No doubt our President would have felt it better to talk to General Santa Anna even though he had repeatedly displayed he was not worthy of trust. Even though he had repeatedly double crossed us and spoken out of both sides of his mouth. He would not have supplied the additional men requested by the Commander of the Alamo, William B. Travis. He would not be in awe of some of the defenders who laid down their lives that day. Men like Jim Bowie and frontiersman David Crockett. He probably wouldn't have let the siege continue for the 13 days that it did. He would have wanted a cut of date. Any of that sound familiar?

And he would never understand some of the last words I am going to leave you with today - written by Daniel Cloud on the day after Christmas in 1835 while en route to San Antonio and the Alamo.

"If we succeed, the country is ours. It is immense in extent, and fertile in its soil and will amply reward if we toil. If we fail, death in the cause of liberty and humanity is not cause for shuddering. Our rifles are by our side, and choice guns they are. We know what awaits us and we are prepared to meet it."

REMEMBER THE ALAMO Mr President. Freedom and humanity are causes worthy of fighting for. Unfortunately I don't believe that YOU believe either are true. You have paid lip service to your commanders and you have placed American lives in harms way for politics - not for victory. Shame on you sir! Shame on you.

If you would like to comment on this blog you can do so by e-mailing me at simontalkshow@gmail.com

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