Is the Alamo still important?

alamo-main

While visiting San Antonio we couldn’t miss the chance to visit the Alamo. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but until this trip I think my kids biggest reference to the Alamo comes from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure movie. I’m not sure we even fully grasped the phrase, “Remember the Alamo” before arriving. I was eager to understand why the Alamo, and this one battle among many fought in the U.S., remains an important part of our history. I got my answer, and so much more.

#1 Something doesn’t have to be flashy to garnish attention

Upon arriving at the Alamo my first impressions weren’t what I’d expected. As the biggest tourist attraction in Texas, I guess I’d expected it to be well, BIG. Instead, the building is smaller and humbler than I’d anticipated.  There were no flashy, touristy signs trying to lure us into the venue like at so many tourist attractions. On the contrary, it possessed a quiet, unassuming entrance on a busy street full of other buildings.

#2 Reverence in a loud world is still possible

However, once we got in line to go in, the amount of reverence and respect for this historic site was immediately felt. For starters, no photos are allowed to be taken inside. Also, they ask for complete silence once you walk through the doors in order to preserve sanctity for those who died there. In this day and age when public standards of behavior can be pretty low, and obsession with handheld tech devices is incredibly high, it was refreshing to see how the public abided by the museum’s request for reverence.

alamo 1

#3 Leave a legacy by believing in something bigger than yourself

In that silence I was able to read and ponder about the details of what happened there and could feel the spirit of the men who had laid down their lives for what they believed in, for a cause that was bigger than their individual lives. This is a lesson I want to instill in my children, but it’s hard lesson to teach verbally, it must be experienced.  We felt it here. These men left a legacy by believing and acting in a cause bigger than their individual lives.

This is a lesson I want to instill in my children, but it’s hard lesson to teach verbally, it must be experienced.  We felt it here.

Logistics

The tour inside the Alamo is short, but there’s more to see outside on the grounds. There’s an annex building that has great information about the war and the history of the Alamo. The gift shop also contains display cases with artifacts from the time period.

I encourage you to visit this historical place at least once. I will definitely “Remember the Alamo” as a special day in my travels.

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.