[GMAN]

March 2 is Texas Independence Day. I thought I would share it with all of our Texas family and friends on CAD. It gives a good description of what it means to be a Texan. Texas declared it's independence on March 2, 1836. The Texas Declaration of Independence was drafted literally overnight and took place in Washington, TX while the Alamo was under siege by the Mexican Army.

GMAN


TEXANS by Bum Phillips


If you're a Texan or a wanna be Texan you'll LOVE this. If you're jealous of us Texans then you'll see why us TEXANS love our State so MUCH.





What is it about TEXAS?

by Bum Phillips

Dear Friends,

Last year, I wrote a small piece about what it means to me to be a Texan. My friends know it means about damned near everything. Anyway, this fella asked me to reprint what I'd wrote and I didn't have it. So I set out to think about rewriting something. I considered writing about all the great things I love about Texas. There are way too many things to list. I can't even begin to do it justice.

Lemme let you in on my short list.

It starts with The Window at Big Bend, which in and of itself is proof of God. It goes to Lake Sam Rayburn where my Granddad taught me more about life than fishin, and enough about fishin to last a lifetime. I can talk about Tyler, and Longview, and Odessa and Cisco, and Abilene and Poteet and every place in between.

Every little part of Texas feels special. Every person who ever flew the Lone Star thinks of Bandera or Victoria or Manor or wherever they call "home" as the best little part of the best state.

So I got to thinkin about it, and here's what I really want to say.

Last year, I talked about all the great places and great heroes who make Texas what it is. I talked about Willie and Waylon and Michael Dell and Michael DeBakey and my Dad and LBJ and Denton Cooley. I talked about everybody that came to mind. It took me sitting here tonight reading this stack of emails and thinkin about where I've been and what I've done since the last time I wrote on this occasion to remind me what it is about Texas that is really great.

You see, this last month or so I finally went to Europe for the first time. I hadn't ever been, and didn't too much want to. But you know all my darn friends are always talking about "the time they went to Europe." So, I finally went. It was a heck of a trip to be sure. All they did when they saw me was say the same thing, before they'd ever met me. "Hey cowboy, we love Texas." I guess the hat tipped em off.

But let me tell you what, they all came up with a smile on their faces. You know why? They knew for darn sure that I was gonna be nice to em. They knew it cause they knew I was from Texas. They knew something that hadn't even hit me. They knew Texans, even though they'd never met one.

That's when it occurred to me. Do you know what is great about Texas? Do you know why when my friend Beverly and I were trekking across country to see 15 baseball games we got sick and had to come home after 8? Do you know why; every time I cross the border I say, "Lord, please don't let me die in_____"? Do you know why children in Japan can look at a picture of the great State and know exactly what it is, about the same time they can tell a rhombus from a trapezoid?

I can tell you that right quick. You!

The same spirit that made 186 men cross that line in the sand in San Antonio damned near 165 years ago is still in you today. Why else would my friend send me William Barrett Travis' plea for help in an email just a week ago, or why would Charles Stanfield ask me to reprint a Texas Independence column from a year ago? What would make my friend Elizabeth say, "I don't know if I can marry a man who doesn't love Texas like I do?" Why in the heck are 1,000 people coming to my house this weekend to celebrate a holiday for what used to be a nation that is now a state?

Because the spirit that made that nation is the spirit that burned in every person who founded this great place we call Texas, and they passed it on through blood or sweat to everyone of us.

You see, that spirit that made Texas what it is alive in all of us, even if we can't stand next to a cannon to prove it, and it's our responsibility to keep that fire burning. Every person who ever put a "Native Texan" or an "I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could" sticker on his car understands.

Anyone who ever hung a map of Texas on their wall or flew a Lone Star flag on their porch knows what I mean. My Dad's buddy Bill has an old saying. He says that some people were forged of a hotter fire. Well, that's what it is to be Texan. To be forged of a hotter fire. To know that part of Colorado was Texas. That part of New Mexico was Texas. That part of Oklahoma was Texas. Yep. Talk all you want. Part of what you got was what we gave you. To look at a picture of Idaho or Istanbul and say, "what the heck is that?" when you know that anyone in Idaho or Istanbul who sees a picture of Texas knows darn good and well what it is. It isn't the shape, it isn't the state, it's the state of mind.

You're what makes Texas. The fact that you would take 15 minutes out of your day to read this, because that's what Texas means to you, that's what makes Texas what it is. The fact that when you see the guy in front of you litter you honk and think, "Sono***un. Littering on MY highway."

When was the last time you went to a person's house in New York and you saw a big map of New York on their wall? That was never. When did you ever drive through Oklahoma and see their flag waving on four businesses in a row? Can you even tell me what the flag in Louisiana looks like? I darn sure can't. But I bet my butt you can't drive 20 minutes from your house and not see a business that has a big Texas flag as part of its logo. If you haven't done business with someone called AllTex something or Lone Star somebody or other, or Texas such and such, you hadn't lived here for too long.

When you ask a man from New York what he is, he'll say a stockbroker, or an accountant, or an ad exec. When you ask a woman from California what she is, she'll tell you her last name or her major. Hell either of em might say "I'm a republican," or they might be a democrat. When you ask a Texan what they are, before they say, "I'm a Methodist," or "I'm a lawyer," or "I'm a Smith," they tell you they're a Texan.

I got nothin against all those other places, and Lord knows they've probably got some fine folks, but in your gut you know it just like I do, Texas is just a little different.

So tomorrow when you drive down the road and you see a person broken down on the side of the road, stop and help. When you are in a bar in California, buy a Californian a drink and tell him it's for Texas Independence Day. Remind the person in the cube next to you that he wouldn't be here enjoying this if it weren't for Sam Houston, and if he or she doesn't know the story, tell them.

When William Barrett Travis wrote in 1836 that he would never surrender and he would have Victory or Death, what he was really saying was that he and his men were forged of a hotter fire. They weren't your average everyday men. Well, that is what it means to be a Texan. It meant it then, and that's why it means it today. It means just what all those people North of the Red River accuse us of thinking it means. It means there's no mountain that we can't climb. It means that we can swim the Gulf in the winter. It means that Earl Campbell ran harder and Houston is bigger and Dallas is richer and Alpine is hotter and Stevie Ray was smoother and God vacations in Texas. It means that come Hell or high water, when the chips are down and the Good Lord is watching, we're Texans by darn, and just like in 1836, that counts for something.

So for today at least, when your chance comes around, go out and prove it. It's true because we believe it's true. If you are sitting wondering what the heck I'm talking about, this ain't for you. But if the first thing you are going to do when the Good Lord calls your number is find the men who sat in that tiny mission in San Antonio and shake their hands, then you're the reason I wrote this night, and this is for you.

So until next time you hear from me, God Bless and Happy Texas Independence Day.

[golfhobo]

Hey GMAN.... are you a Texan or a Tennesseen?

That's a GREAT article! I'm not a Texan by birth, but I spent 4 very "formative" years there. I KNOW what makes Texans so proud.... but, it ain't the terrain! :lol2:

You gotta LOVE Texans! Mostly, cuz there ain't no reason to HATE 'em! :lol:

They ain't got MUCH to "export" 'cept B.S. (and cowboy hats) .... but, they got PRIDE!

I wish ALL Americans had the pride that Texans have!

Best wishes to all my Texan friends on your special day! You fought for it (with a little help) and you DESERVE it!

May the stars (especially that LONE one) always shine bright... clap, clap, clap, clap.... deep in the heart of TEXAS!! :clap:

There are a LOT of good people in this country, in every state, but NONE more friendly than those I've known/met in Texas!

And, if y'all have any doubt about the importance of Texan independence and joining the "union," just picture a map where Texas was still part of MEXICO! :hellno:

Now, think of those men who, with a CHANCE to abandon their post, and with a "directive" to do so, stood FAST with the certain knowledge of their impending death. There was no question in their minds.... they KNEW they would lay down their lives for Texas and a "union" they had only heard rumors of.

THAT is real courage! THAT is "heroism." I can only HOPE that every ONE of them has received a posthumous award for such.

[terrylamar]

On behalf of all Texans, thank you!

I seem to remember some great Tennesseens giving their lives in support of Texas.

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by terrylamar

On behalf of all Texans, thank you!

I seem to remember some great Tennesseens giving their lives in support of Texas.

You know? I was THINKING of you (Terrylamar) when I wrote that. I can't tell WHICH of us you are thanking, but it doesn't matter. I'm just glad to see you are still around!

Yes, I wouldn't want to NAME names, cuz I might get them wrong, but MANY famous "frontiersmen" went to the aid of the Texicans at the Alamo! Americans ALWAYS do that! We will go where we are needed, and sacrifice what is required. But NONE have a bigger heart than Texans!

You make us proud! Now.... raise the speed limit will ya? :lol2:

[terrylamar]

Originally Posted by golfhobo

I can't tell WHICH of us you are thanking, but it doesn't matter.

Both, of course

[Heavy Duty]

I have been told that had the Alamo had a back door, we would have never heard of it.

[GMAN]

Originally Posted by terrylamar

On behalf of all Texans, thank you!

I seem to remember some great Tennesseens giving their lives in support of Texas.

Originally Posted by terrylamar

On behalf of all Texans, thank you!

I seem to remember some great Tennesseens giving their lives in support of Texas.

Originally Posted by terrylamar

On behalf of all Texans, thank you!

I seem to remember some great Tennesseens giving their lives in support of Texas.

There has been a special relationship between Texas and Tennessee from the beginning. The Sam Houston was governor of Tennessee before heading west and becoming the first President of Texas. David Crockett made quite a name for himself in Tennessee before heading to Texas and the Alamo. William Travis who led those in the Alamo was also from Tennessee as was Jim Bowie and many others. There is a spirit in Texas that you will find in no other state in the union. It is one of the few states that could be self sufficient should they decide to secede. They have their own energy industry, space program, air force and can produce their own food. My family has strong ties to Texas and Tennessee, Golfhobo. I suppose you could call me TenTexan or TexTennessean.

[Jackrabbit379]

Remember the Alamo!

GMAN, thank you. I am flattered that you have mentioned Texas' Independence Day.

Yes, GMAN.. There is a reason why Tennessee is the Volunteer State. This is silly, but anytime I happen to catch the Vols play football on TV, I think about the 23 men from Tennessee that fought for my freedom.
I have learned over the years that Tennessee earned their nickname from the War of 1812, but in the hearts of Texans, it's because of the faithful men that gave their lives for Texas.

Washington-On-The-Brazos, which was the Convention of 1836, signed a Declaration of Independence from Mexico on March 2 1836.

On March 6, 1836, the Alamo fell. Early that morning, General Santa Anna charged his troops, and they killed every man inside. The Seige, or Battle of the Alamo was from Feb 23 - March 6.
We take pride in our State. To my knowledge, Texas is the only state that was once an independent nation (with the exception of Oklahoma/Indian Territory). The only state to fight for their statehood, and not given on a silver platter.
Seriously, Texas was once a providence of Mexico, and I am thankful for every settler in Texas. They had the guts to stand up, and have the dreams of Texas actually becoming a part of the United States.
Gen. Santa Anna ordered Col. William Travis and all the Texans in the Alamo to surrender. Col. Travis answered back with a cannon shot. Whatever you want to call it..guts, or bravery. That is really something! That takes guts, to look at an army of atleast 2,000 men and you have 185 volunteers.. to look at that Mexican army in the eye, and answer with a cannon shot! That's a hero!
Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier! He's a hero here in Texas! So is Jim Bowie, and William Travis. Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas. Sam Houston. So many schools, and towns, cities, streets named after these men. I can't name all the men who are heroes of Texas, but there are a bunch of them, and you know it when you see towns, and streets, and schools named after them! That's being proud of your home State!

Sam Houston and his men defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto on April 21 1836. If I remember right, the battle only last 18 minutes. Santa Anna was captured (shoulda been hung-but that wouldnt been right) and hundreds of Mexicans died. Only 9 Texans lost their lives. The victory at San Jacinto put Texas on the map. (no pun intended) The victory secured the Republic of Texas.
After the Texans captured Santa Anna, and they brought him to Houston, Santa Anna asked Houston, "what is this place, where I have been defeated?" Houston said, "San Jacinto. The Republic of Texas!"
The song, Yellow Rose of Texas is from the Battle of San Jacinto. Somehow, Santa Anna captured a Texas settler's daughter, and she was rescued at San Jacinto. (that's what I've always been told) Ya know Texas, and it's songs, and folk lore :lol:

Thank you GMAN for thinking of all of us Texans. Not only do we have the prettiest country, and the most cows, prettiest girls, we do have pride in our state, because we got our freedom from a few good men. (I made that up )

Let the old men tell the story, let the legend grow and grow, of the 13 days of glory at the siege of the Alamo. Lift their tattered banners proudly as the eyes of Texas shine, let the fort that was a mission be an everlasting shrine. That they fought to give us freedom, that is all we need to know, of the 13 days of glory at the siege of the Alamo.

[Jackrabbit379]

How could I forget..

December 29 1845, Texas was annexed into the Union as the 28th State. The Lone Star State!

Unfortunately, Texas also seceded from the Union in the Civil War. (I love Texas, and I am a proud Texan, but I'm not a rebel, or whatever you want to call it. I despise the Confederate flag) Sam Houston was evicted from office as Gov. of Texas, when he refused to take an oath to the Confederacy, and opposed to Texas, seceding from the Union.

[BlooMoose]

I heard Randy Neugabauer speak with Mayor Tom Martin the other night and was told that, within the last 7 years, the 19th District of Texas has developed more wind towers than the entire State of CA. There are a bunch of big ideas coming out of this State.