The Modern Alamo

After viewing the modern film “The Alamo” directed by John Lee Hancock, one will receive an even broader view of the history that lies behind the historical structure known as the Alamo. This film has been said to be randomly thrown together in some ways due to the fact that the historians spent so much of their efforts getting the history accurate for the film. As an educational film I believe the 2004 version of the Alamo is a must see in order to get the facts straight in one’s own mind. After viewing this film, for the first time, it is much easier to give credit where credit is due. The film is one of a small few things we have studied in class that do contribute more time and effort representing the Tejanos and some of the others that are usually left out. As of right now this film has helped me out most in understanding the truth to our states history.
Designating an entire segment of class to study the Alamo allowed most to hear for the first time the truth behind this well known battle. Though in most cases the Tejanos seem to get pushed under the rug, when we remember the heroes who fought, this film does a great job at giving the viewer the chance to see the battle from all perspectives and not just from the Anglo point of view.
When reading “Under The Mexican Flag” by Andres Tijerina one can also get a look at this battle and this period of time from the Tejanos point of view. Which leaves one with a much better understanding of the heroes who really brought our state to it’s independence. I noticed when viewing the film “The Alamo” much of the article “Under The Mexican Flag” reflected in the movie.
This film gives a good view of all aspects of the battle at the Alamo. I recently found that Davy Crocket did not just die in the battle he played much more of a dominant role during this time then I was aware of. After studying the Alamo and watching this film I have not only learned much more of the Tejanos but also of some of the Anglos who may not be receiving as much credit as they deserve.

The Alamo

Remeber the Alamo! The unforgetable statement that has a much deeper meaning than one may assume. Remember the Alamo was actually the Texas battle cry per say, and to the soldiers this ment to get revenge and always keep in mind the ones who had died before them. Though today, we remember the Alamo because the story is a tale of heroism. Sometimes we, as Texans are not as informed and forget that heroes fought on both sides. Heroism is a courageous response to the attack faced by the people of the Alamo. That morning in March was a disaster for both sides, and heroes on both sides responded with grace and courage. One may never know about the heros and where they are from if you do not choose to visit the Alamo this present time. Revisiting the Alamo is amazing and I would recommend the vist to anyone, of any age. The wall of history is breathtaking and holds so much information one may need to take at least two days to take it all in. One will learn much of the Spanish people who contributed, more than we once knew, to this battle. At one point in time the Spanish may not have been recognized as clearly as they deserved, but today I believe one can visit the Alamo and get a very good sense of all the heroes who served in this battle. This is not all one can gather from a visit. Along with the people who fought for the Alamo, the structure itself holds a lot of history that one will uncover while walking through the remaining buildings. Not only was the Alamo an unforgetable battlefield, it was also a community to the ones who then fought for it. Originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo served as home to many missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly seventy years. It's mission role completed, the old buildings were abandoned by 1836 when the site became known as the "cradle of Texas Liberty." Rebelling against repressions of Mexico's self-proclaimed dictator, Santa Anna, a band of 189 Texas volunters defied a Mexican army of thousands for 13 days of siege. The Alamo defenders died to the last man, among them such men as William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie. Cost to Mexican forces was dreadful. While Santa Anna dictated an announcement of glorious victory, "One more such glorious victory and we are finished". The finish came April 21 when Sam Houston's Texans routed the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto near Houston, and captured "the Napoleon of the West," as Santa Anna billed himself. After all was said and done the war was won! These are only some facts that one will discover when visiting the Alamo; therefore it is a trip one must experience for themselves. Today I am thankful I was able to revisit the "new and more informative" Alamo and get a much broader picture of the real story behind this magnificant historical structure.

The Yanaguana Trail at Mission San Juan Capistrano

The Yanaguana trail located at Mission San Juan Capistrano gives one the opportunity to experience more than just a walk around the path, one is able to experience the very land that the early Indians and Mexicans once used years ago. This trail is 1/3 of a mile long and runs along the San Antonio river, there are plants along the path that are still used by the mission to this day. The land is much more dry and full of dead trees unlike the other missions whos land seems much more farm like, even to this day.
When pulling up to the mission, the trail is located on the right. The trail branches off into three small trails that all eventually meet up forming a large circle, allowing one to get a large view of the land. This particular mission stood out because there is a designated trail that one can walk and experience the same walk the Indians and the Mexicans once made before us. The trail leads to the water leaving one to assume that it was very easy to attain water at this mission inparticular. Though the land seems to be dying, it is clear that this same dead land was once very much alive and is what fed many people back in their day.
After visiting, and walking, the Yanaguana trail, I took some time to study Mission San Juan Capistrano as well. In order to understand the trail one must realize its significance to the mission itself. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1713 by Spanish Catholics of Franciscan Order. The mission was first made of only brush and mud. In 1760 construction of a larger church building was begun on the east side of the Mission compound, but was never completed due to lack of sufficient labor. This mission unfortunately did not prosper to the same extent as the other San Antonio missions. The land near the mission was not sufficient to plant vast qualities of crops or raise large amounts of livestock. Though this particular mission may have not been as successful, I do believe things could have been much worse if not for the fact that it was located right on the bank of the river. Though this paved trail was not constructed until much later in time, one can still get a sense exactly how the Indians and Mexicans once lived. There are still small aqueducts coming off the river running to other areas around the mission. This trail gives one a great view of the land the Indians and Mexicans were working with in the past. As of today the land around this trail is very dry and looks as if it has been underwater more times than others. Walking the trail I was able to see that this mission seemed to be the closest mission to the river, yet this was the same mission in which did not prosper as the others did. After having visiting two of the four missions here in south Texas, I would definitely consider Mission San Juan Capistrano my favorite. It was a very educational visit yet at the same time it was calming and relaxing. This particular mission is one can plan to attend more then once being that it has so very much to offer. Not only is the mission itself beautiful and historical, the land and the wildlife is breathtaking as well, which is why I would consider this to have been my favorite visit to a mission thus far.