Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!
Henry Holcomb Bennett (1833-1908)
We were returning to Rockport this June 14, Flag Day. It was mid-afternoon and we were eager to get off the highway after a wonderful, but tiring, nine-day trip. We entered the historic old Texas city of Goliad. American flags were waving briskly and with pride in the South Texas breezes. I wondered for a moment the occasion but then remembered it was Flag Day. It is always the day after my birthday. Flag Day has a few years on me, going back to 1777. It is not a Holiday; just a day to remember Old Glory and all the related flags.
On THIS afternoon passing through Goliad I thought of the Texas Flag with a single star. You all know, "Remember The Alamo", but do you know "Remember Goliad"? All Texans should. As a non-Texan I am still moved by the awful events that took place in Goliad in 1836. Texians and Mexico were warring. Mexico was determined not to give up the land.. The Texans were determined to continue living here and do so in freedom. An army led by Fannin was surrounded and captured. Three hundred plus men were marched to Goliad as prisoners. An order came from General Santa Anna to kill these prisoners. All of them. On Palm Sunday, March 26, 1836 they were marched from the Fort compound in several columns. Some of the men thought they were being freed. Others doubted. They were told to kneel. When they refused to do so, the Mexican soldiers began shooting them point blank. A pitiful few ran to the nearby river and escaped. Most of them died there. Cavalry came following the shooting and stabbed the ones alive. It was a horrible event. They were buried in mass graves where they still remain. It was near where we were driving. The Fort remains. Flags were flying. A Texas flag with the single star. An American Flag with many stars. I thought of the battle cry for Texas: "Remember The Alamo"!; "Remember Goliad"! Freedom always has a heavy price. It did for early Texas. It does for growing America. Our faith in Jesus Christ, and hope in Him had an awful price. Talk about innocence and sacrifice! So, for we believers our battle cry could well be...."Remember Jesus Christ"! (Trip events tomorrow)
