The American Thermopylae





"The American Thermopylae"

 

Some of you may wondering about the title of this week's memo as given above.
This is why I support a true classical education and the study of history. When
anyone in western civilization sees the word Thermopylae, it should create a
sense of honor and regard.

 

It was there, circa 480 BC, that Spartan King Leonidas with his personal,
hand-selected guard of 300 Spartans -- and a coalition of other Greek
city-states -- stood in a narrow gap at a place colloquially called "the hot
gates," named Thermopylae.

 

Before them stood the invading army of Xerxes, king of Persia who was
returning to avenge his father's defeat at Marathon 10 years previously, and
defeat the ideals of individual liberty and democracy. In essence, freedom and
liberty stood before tyranny and subjugation.


At the beginning of the battle, Xerxes demanded that the Spartans lay down
their arms. Leonidas' reply was "Molon Labe." The battle was enjoined, and over
the course of two days, the Spartan-led coalition wrought massive death and
casualties upon the attacking horde of Persia. Then, a Greek traitor provided
information to the Persians about a secret pass that would lead to the
encirclement of Leonidas' force. Leonidas chose one Spartan warrior to take a
message back to the city-state of Sparta, "Go tell the Spartans, and strangers
passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie."


The Spartan code, the law of Lycurgus, was "no surrender, no retreat." Thus,
Leonidas and his remaining Spartans were killed at that place called
Thermopylae. However, their sacrifice bought valuable time, and rallied all of
Greece.

 

In the end, Xerxes was defeated, and individual liberty, freedom, and
democracy was saved in Greece, and for the rest of the world.


And, so it was, some 2300 years later that there was a small mission, a
garrison, in what we call San Antonio, Texas, today, that history did, indeed,
repeat itself. There, at the place called The Alamo, some 185 men came
together; a coalition of men who answered the call of arms, of duty. They were
Texians, Mexicans, Georgians, Tennesseeans, and those from Missouri and South
Carolina. They were led by a young 26-year-old from the Palmetto State, named
William Barrett Travis.

 

They took up their positions on February 23, 1836 and watched the gathering
army of Mexican dictator General Santa Anna take the field. On February 24th,
Col. Travis chose one man, Juan Seguin, to deliver a message to General Sam
Houston. The Travis letter requested support and aid, and it spoke of no
surrender, no retreat...about honor of sacrifice and closed with the immortal
words, "Victory or Death."


For 13 days, over 180 men fought, and held, buying time for Houston and for
what had been declared, an independent Republic of Texas. No reinforcements
came, no support, but, a line in the sand was drawn and every man accepted that
challenge, knowing their true end.

 

So it was, on March 6, 1836 The Alamo fell, and every defender was killed, put
to death, and their bodies piled and burned. Iconic American names such as Jim
Bowie and Davy Crockett perished that memorable day, the day of the American
Thermopylae.


Now, this week, on September 22, the Texas Historical Commission will vote on
the moving of The Alamo's open tomb memorial, The Cenotaph. There are those who
say we need to "reimagine" The Alamo. I say, we need to simply "Remember The
Alamo."

 

History and heroism do not need be reimagined. These are character traits that
should be taught to each and every new generation. The Spartans, today, in
Greece, embrace their legacy. We Texans should do the same. However, it was
just a few years ago that the Texas State Board of Education had to meet in
emergency session to prevent the removal of the word "heroic" from Texas state
history books with reference to The Alamo defenders. This is not "revisionist"
history, this is a dedicated effort to erase our history.


Texans have spoken -- and resoundingly reject -- any design that will move The
Cenotaph from its current location, near the very north wall where the Mexican
Army stormed the garrison. There is no doubt that The Cenotaph's current
location is on The Alamo battleground. But, the woke cancel culture mob
supporters who sit on the San Antonio City Council do not see themselves as
protectors of those who defended Texas. No, they would rather surrender Texas
history, an American iconic symbol, to the progressive socialist leftist mob.


The Texas Historical Commission must vote with the people of Texas who said,
with over 90 percent support, that they did not want The Cenotaph moved, or The
Alamo "reimagined." They prefer it be remembered by future generations just as
it is, and revered. We do a disservice to those who sacrificed all if we move
their open tomb just to appease some real estate developers and leftists.

 

It should be a matter of pride for Texans, and all Americans to visit The
Alamo, gaze upon the faces and names of those on The Cenotaph, and remember the
men who sacrificed so that the Lone Star State would come into existence.


I am a Tennessee Volunteer, and a former member of the US House of
Representatives. Whenever I visit The Alamo and look upon The Cenotaph, I see
the man whose legacy I carry, Davy Crockett. And Congressman Crockett, says,
"remember us."


The Greek words "Molon Labe," translated into English, mean "Come, Take." The
fight for Texas liberty started on October 2, 1835 when the Texians responded
to the Mexican cavalry demand to return a cannon. "Come and Take It."


The Alamo is our American Thermopylae. The Alamo Defenders are our Spartans.
Leave The Cenotaph where it is, and honor their memory, and commitment to our
present day liberty.

 









LTC Allen West (Ret.)
Chairman, Republican Party of Texas

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