The Alamo

Readers, I am not sure how many of you have traveled to San Antonio and seen the Alamo. If you have, like Jen and I, you were more than likely very disappointed. Only two structures from the original mission compound remain - the famous chapel, and the convento, where the final parts of the battle played out. The rest of the Alamo is gone. Given up to hotels, Madame Tussaud’s, and really bad souvenir shops.

Did 183 (ish) men die in this place so we could view wax figures? I say they did not. Their legacy deserves a better memorial. I believe that the Alamo grounds should be reconstructed, so that visitors gain a greater sense of the battle, as well as the scale of Mexican San Antonio. This would be a much more fitting honor for those men, and would fit (or exceed) the expectations of visitors. Hopefully, we will soon see a change in governors here in Texas, and the new Governor will proceed with making this dream a reality - a state park for the Alamo. Not a national site, though - I think the Alamo should belong solely to our great state. If you’d like more information check out this article from the November 2008 issue of Texas Monthly.

You Aren’t Here, by Gary Cartwright

- Jason Dean