This is the shrine to the Heros that fell during the fateful Battle of the Alamo, on March the 6th, 1836. This battle paved the way for the final Independence of The Republic Of Texas by giving General Sam Houston time to gather enough of a force that he was able to finally defeat the "Napolean of the West" General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the dictator of Mexico, at the Battle of San Jacinto.

I visited the Alamo, and I must tell you, it was a very moving experience. For quite a number of years I was a member of the Texas Army National Guard, and considered myself basically in the Army of Texas, much as the individuals who stood in the Alamo in defiance of Santa Anna. When I finally got a chance to actually stand in the spot where these 189 men made their final sacrifice, I was humbled beyond anything I have ever experienced. I have read about the Alamo, and studied the battle, the maps, the tactics, and the personalities of the participants for years, but to be there and see the walls they defended with their lives, well, it was an emotional moment.

I walked around the grounds, just looking at the stones in the walls of the original buildings, wondering what the men there had talked about as they waited. What had their thoughts been as they watched the Mexican Army array itself outside the tiny mission? Who patted who on the shoulder to give then reassurance? Who prayed, and who despaired? What were the struggles like in the final assault, and how did they die? My mind took it in as my eyes swept the grounds, but my heart filled to overflowing with gratitude and sympathy for these men. Men who stood and died for what they believed in, for what they loved....Texas.

While I stood in the Chapel, the scene of the final assault and conflict, I read the plaques on the walls that listed these men, and where they were from. The names read like a who's who in Texas. Bonham, Bowie, Crockett, Davis, Day, Dennison, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Kenney, King, Lindley, Losoya, McCafferty. Then I saw another name, one that seemed to leap out at me and strike me, that of Robert McKinney, of Ireland. Here was a family member, a relative of Collin McKinney, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico, as a representative of the Texan people, while Robert McKinney fought to delay the dictator they were declaring independence from. I was brought up short by this discovery, it was an emotional shock to see the McKinney name in so hallowed a place. The family tradition of service was started so very long ago, in such a treasured place. My father, myself, my sister, my brother, and now my two oldest sons have all served in the U. S. Military on active duty. We have served all over the world and in many ways through the years. I elected to stay in the reserves when I mustered out and continue my association with the military. My mother served as well as an Army wife for 22 years, which is in itself deserving of praise and gratitude. My father and I both then served as law enforcement officers, till dad retired from that craft in 2000, continuing the tradition of service.

Now here I stood, at the scene of the most terrible struggles of the battle of the Alamo, and find kin. Bayoneted? Shot? Killed by cannon fire? Bludgeoned by rifle butt? How did this courageous man die? Bravely without doubt, but specifically we will never know. His ashes now lie together with those of his comrades in San Antonio, Texas, far from his original homeland of Ireland. What a journey! What a fate! To believe in a cause so completely that even when faced with overwhelming odds, and given numerous chances to escape with his life, he stood and fought, and died, for that belief. It is stunning. It is illuminating in a way. It has helped me to understand this tendency in myself to put my safety second, my security behind that of others in order to try and make a difference. I understand now that my sacrifices have been minor compared to the ones made by those men so long ago, as well as those made by others over the years in the name of freedom. I pray that my sons, who serve in the Navy now, aboard combat ships at sea, will never have to man the ramparts in battle. But, if they do, they will be carrying on a tradition that started a long time ago, in a small chapel in Texas, the Alamo.

Above is a view of the monument to the heros of the Battle of San Jacinto. This battle resulted in the utter defeat, and capture of General Santa Anna, and justified completely the sacrifices made at Goliad and the Alamo.

Here are some links to Texas Military History and Texas Military Forces:

Fannin Battleground State Historical Park
TEXAS MILITARY FORCES MUSEUM
San Jacinto Monument and Museum
NGAT Home Page
Lone Star Junction: A Texas Almanac
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Librar...
Remember the Alamo
Texas Photography
Songs of Texas

How about some more links for you that are into links, that is.....

Here's a link for fellow Christians, and any others that take an interest, heck, everybody!!! Welcome to Christianity.Net!

So, what DO you say to those of other religions when they ask about Christianity? Here are some ideas and thoughtful answers...CHRISTIAN WORLD INDEX - APOLOGETICS

Need to study the Bible? This site can help you more than you can imagine.....Matthew Henry's Commentary

Now, you have to know there would be a link to promise keepers here, c'mon..... Official PK Web Site

and here is the e-mail link....

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Mac McKinney's Military Page