Under the shadow of the Alamo, where Texas liberty was born in blood and sacrifice, a dedicated group of Texians gathered once again to honor those who gave everything for our freedom. While much of the world rushes forward, forgetting the foundations upon which their liberty stands, these Texians remember.
This past Saturday, under beautiful blue Texas skies, a small but dedicated group of Texians gathered at the Alamo to continue our sacred monthly tradition of honoring the heroes who stood against tyranny and gave their lives for Texas. The Alamo Memorial March, a tradition started by the Texas Nationalist Movement in 2012, took place as it does every second Saturday, providing a powerful reminder that Texas independence wasn’t given – it was taken through sacrifice and courage.
Stacey Pauley stepped up to lead the March, filling in for Alamo Guard Captain Karl Gleim, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Karl’s dedication to this monthly ceremony over the years exemplifies the unwavering commitment of Texians to remember our heroes – rain or shine, we show up and take care of business.
The evening march began with the reading of Colonel Juan Seguin’s Burial Oration from April 4, 1837, setting the solemn tone for the ceremony. David Garza led the procession carrying the Texas flag, followed by the other participants. The group included Robert Ytuarte, a direct descendant of an Alamo defender, along with Guy Franceschini who carried the wreath, and several others including new participants Chaz Calderon and Jon-Paul Perez who drove down from the Dallas and Denton areas, and William Pat Wade from Corpus Christi.
In orderly fashion, the group proceeded to place a wreath at the Alamo and observe a moment of silence. They then marched to the Cenotaph, the monument commemorating those whose bodies were burned after the battle, for another solemn moment to honor our fallen heroes.
The plaza was filled with tourists who respectfully made way for the procession. Many were moved by the ceremony, with some even applauding after the group reached the Cenotaph – a reaction that caught the participants by surprise. After all, they weren’t there for recognition but to honor the dead who secured our liberty with their blood.
“Even though tourists were clapping, which felt a bit like applauding at a funeral, I know they meant well,” Pauley noted. “They were showing appreciation for what we were doing, perhaps surprised to see a ceremony on a regular Saturday that wasn’t a major holiday.”
Earlier that day, the Alamo had hosted an official event celebrating Alamo defender José Toribio Losoya, drawing many visitors to the site. The TNM’s Alamo Memorial March stands apart as it happens every month without fail, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to honoring Texas heroes and keeping their memory alive.
This is the spirit of Texas – regular citizens taking time from their busy lives to honor the sacrifices made for liberty. While politicians in Washington continue to expand their power and undermine the sovereignty of States, Texians remember what true liberty costs and what it’s worth.
The March will continue next month on May 10th, and all Texians are invited to join this solemn ceremony. No special membership is required – only a heart that beats for Texas and respect for those who gave everything for her freedom.
The Federal superstate would like nothing more than for Texians to forget our history of independence. Yet every month, without fail, we remember. We honor. We march. This is how we keep the flame of Texas liberty burning bright.
For more information about participating in future Alamo Memorial Marches, visit tnm.me/event/alamo-memorial-march/
While not quite as eloquent as speaker or writer as some, I wish to thank those who attended the Alamo Memorial March on Saturday April 12th for helping keep alive the memory of the Alamo Defenders who stood up and gave their lives in defense of Freedom from Tyranny. I want to thank Stacey Pauley for stepping up to take my place to make sure the Alamo Memorial March took place on time in an orderly fashion since I was unavailable to be there as I normally am. We perform the March, rain or shine, hot or cold, dark or light at 7pm monthly on the 2nd Saturday evening of the month. Many times bystanders will step in behind us and removing their hats will hold the moment of silence with us, however I don’t recall ever being applauded afterwards which had to be somewhat disconcerting but a spontaneous outpouring of support and encouragement must have been greatly appreciated by those who performed this month’s Alamo Memorial March.
Karl Gleim: Captain, Alamo Guard