San Antonio Vacation

The loyal readers may have noticed that I haven't had a recent entry. That's because I've been traveling down to San Antonio, Texas for vacation. Coincidentally, San Antonio is where I was born. Specifically, at Brooke Army Medical Center.

Yeah, there's a Lone Star on my birth certificate, and I was raised in South Carolina. So that kind of explains me. Basically, I hate to be to be told what to do, but I don't give up on things - especially if it's a lost cause. Not a bad trait in a lawyer.

Anyway, I've been taking time seeing the Alamo in detail and enjoying the plethora of breweries in the San Antonio area. There is a huge contingent of German immigrants who brought beer with them, so I'm enjoying a nice selection of local Texas-German beer along with an (occasional) margarita.

If you didn't know, Col. William Travis (of the Alamo) was a South Carolina boy. Here's his famous letter from the 1836 siege:

Commandancy of the The Alamo

Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—

Fellow Citizens & compatriots—

     I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat.  Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.  If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death.

William Barrett Travis.

Lt.  Col. comdt.

P. S.  The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves. -Travis

I got to see David (Davy) Crockett's rifles, Bowie's knives, and Travis' swords. What an amazing place. One of the most interesting monuments was the monument given by the Japanese before WWII. It's an amazing epic poem that a Japanese history scholar put together to honor the the Alamo. When you think of the Japanese culture of how surrender is dishonorable and how they preferred death over surrender, the Alamo is a classic Japanese battle where the Alamo defenders chose to die against overwhelming odds.

Also, I got to see this flag:

This is the flag that began the Texas war of independence.