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The Alamo
What the Alamo Means to Me
Dr. Richard Bruce Winders, Historian & Curator, The Alamo
The Alamo has always been a part of my consciousness in some way.
Born on the eve of the debut of Walt Disney’s Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier series, I was too young to see the 1955 original release. Nevertheless, older friends did and introduced me to the bigger-than-life battle and its heroes. To my adolescent sorrow, my family missed The Alamo when it came out in 1960. Again, an older friend filled in gaps for me when he came over and exclaimed, “Let’s play Alamo. I’ll be John Wayne.” History and pop culture blended well together for me at that early age.
Looking back, I suppose it was preordained that I would become a historian.
My family loved history. We were fortunate to travel and live in historic places. We were a family of avid readers. I used books to learn more about the historical topics that interested me. Like many of my generation, though, TV and movie depictions of historical events soon gave way to more accurate interpretations of historical events. We learned the history and pop culture didn’t always agree.
My professional area of study encompasses the period of history in the United States, Texas, and Mexico running from 1800 to 1860. The Battle of the Alamo is a perfect example of the historical intersection of these three nation-states. Being the site’s staff historian has allowed me to share my passion and vision for the Alamo with countless visitors. I find it very satisfying when visitors leave expressing a newfound respect for the Alamo and its era. While the pop culture Alamo may entertain us, the real Alamo explains who we are as a people and a nation.
William R. Chemerka, Founder, The Alamo Society
The Alamo has its own voice. And it speaks to me. It speaks of the gallant garrison which stood against overwhelming odds in1836. It speaks of a place where men, women and children sought refuge. It speaks of a place that housed Texian and Tejano, black and white, young and old. The Siege and Battle of the Alamo was such an inspirational event that its story has been told in prose, poetry, staged productions, art, film and music for generations. And it inspired me. The song “We Remember the Alamo” reminds us that the old mission-fortress still has something to say after 175 years:
Remember the Alamo
Written by William R. Chemerka
Performed by William R. Chemerka & Tony Pasqua, 2003, at The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas
Listen now
There is a shrine in Texas
Was once a fort so long ago
It stands for liberty and freedom
Made by those who fell of this we know
Yet some pass by and never notice
The walls which once housed life
But there are those who remember
Their pain their hope and strife
We remember the Alamo
We remember through the years
We remember the Alamo
We remember through the years
The roll call sounds and they step forward
Travis, Bonham and Bowie
Losoya and Esparza
And Crockett from Tennessee
Their sacrifice reminds us
That liberty be sought
With faith and hope and conviction
Oppression must be fought
We remember the Alamo
We remember through the years
We remember the Alamo
We remember through the years
Now it’s time to cross the line
Which marks death or liberty
We cross the line, that sword-drawn line
We’ll face eternity
We remember the Alamo
We remember through the years
We remember the Alamo
We remember through the years
©2005 William R. Chemerka
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