When Stacey Pauley and Karl Gleim made the pilgrimage to Seguin on October 26, they carried with them the same reverence for Texas independence that has driven their monthly Alamo Memorial March in San Antonio. The Texas Nationalist Movement leaders joined approximately 150 Texans celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Juan Seguin statue dedication—honoring a hero whose story embodies the independent spirit that still burns in Texas hearts today.
The celebration at the Seguin Coliseum marked both the statue’s quarter-century milestone and the 219th birthday of Colonel Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, the Tejano leader who fought alongside Sam Houston at San Jacinto and served as mayor of San Antonio during the Republic of Texas era. For Pauley and Gleim, who organize TNM’s grassroots commemorative events throughout San Antonio, this wasn’t just a local celebration—it was a connection to the heritage that informs their modern independence movement.
“They made the pilgrimage to the Seguin event to pay their respects to a Texas hero and share the cultural aspect of the TNM’s mission,” explained TNM President Daniel Miller in describing the group’s participation. The five-member TNM delegation represented the organization’s commitment to honoring Texas’s sovereign heritage while building grassroots support for independence.
A Texas Hero Remembered
Juan Seguin’s story resonates powerfully with modern independence advocates. Born in San Antonio in 1806, he formed a militia to resist Santa Anna’s tyrannical rule and became one of the most crucial figures in the Texas Revolution. When the Alamo fell, Seguin had been sent as a courier to gather reinforcements—a mission that saved his life and allowed him to continue fighting for Texas independence.
At the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, Seguin led the only Tejano unit in Sam Houston’s army, helping to defeat Santa Anna and secure Texas independence in just 18 minutes. Later, as mayor of San Antonio, he oversaw the burial of the Alamo defenders’ remains, ensuring their sacrifice would never be forgotten. His legacy spans the state—from schools and parks bearing his name to statues at the Alamo and San Jacinto Monument.
The anniversary celebration featured performances by Mariachi Sangre de Mi Tierra and Ballet Folklórico De La Rosa, along with speakers including historian Frank de la Teja and acclaimed author Janice Woods Windle. But for the TNM members present, the most meaningful moment came during the door prize drawing.
Heritage Connects Past and Present
Among the 25 commemorative coins distributed as door prizes, TNM member Robert Ytuarte received the first one drawn—a moment that carried special significance. Ytuarte, a regular participant in the monthly Alamo Memorial March, is a direct descendant of Gregorio Esparza, one of the Alamo defenders who died alongside Travis, Bowie, and Crockett on March 6, 1836.
The connection between past and present couldn’t have been clearer. Here was a descendant of an Alamo defender, participating in TNM’s heritage preservation efforts, receiving recognition at an event honoring another Texas independence hero. It exemplified how the spirit of 1836 continues to inspire modern Texans who believe their state should govern itself.
Albert Seguin Gonzales, Juan Seguin’s great-great-great grandson who organized the event, expressed plans to create more commemorative coins honoring other Texas Revolution figures and battles. This commitment to preserving and promoting Texas heritage aligns perfectly with TNM’s cultural mission—keeping alive the memory of when Texas was an independent nation.
Grassroots Heritage Preservation
Pauley and Gleim’s participation in the Seguin celebration reflects TNM’s broader strategy of connecting historical commemoration with modern independence advocacy. As leaders of the monthly Alamo Memorial March—a tradition TNM has maintained since 2012—they understand that Texas independence isn’t just political theory but lived heritage.
The monthly marches they organize bring together Texans who believe their state’s independent past should inform its independent future. Each gathering at the Alamo reinforces the connection between the sacrifice of 1836 and the sovereignty movement of today. By participating in events like the Seguin anniversary, they demonstrate that TNM’s mission extends beyond politics to cultural preservation.
This grassroots approach—honoring heroes, preserving traditions, and connecting heritage to modern independence—represents TNM’s understanding that political movements must be rooted in cultural identity. Juan Seguin fought for Texas independence because he believed in self-governance. Nearly two centuries later, TNM members gather at his statue for the same reason.
As Texas faces increasing federal overreach and cultural pressure to abandon its distinct identity, events like the Seguin anniversary celebration and the monthly Alamo Memorial March serve as reminders of what makes Texas unique. They connect modern Texans to ancestors who chose independence over submission, sovereignty over dependency.
The TNM delegation’s journey to Seguin wasn’t just about honoring a historical figure—it was about affirming that the spirit which created the Republic of Texas still lives in Texans who believe their state should govern itself. In a time when that heritage faces constant challenge, such acts of remembrance become acts of resistance, ensuring that the Texas independence tradition continues for future generations.
