Ronbo And The Texas Ranger At The Alamo

A hundred and eighty were challenged by Travis to die
By the line that he drew with his sword when the battle was high
Any man that will fight to the death cross over
But if you want to live you'd better fly
And over the line went a hundred and seventy nine

Ol' Bowie lay dying his powder was ready and dry
Flat on his back Bowie killed them a few in reply
And young Davy Crockett was singing and laughing with gallantry fears in his eyes
For God and for freedom a man more than willing to die

They sent a young scout from the battlements bloody and loud
With the words of farewell from a garrison valiant and proud
Grieve not little darling my dying if Texas is sovereign and free
We'll never surrender and ever with liberty be

What does a freedom fighter do when on the run from the government men? If you're Ronbo you visit a place of honor for some of the greatest freedom fighters of the 19th century -- the defenders of the Alamo -- and stay at the Crockett Hotel with a view of the historical site.

The facts about the battle are well known to all American school children: In early 1836 the main Mexican army under the personal command of the tyrant Santa Anna, the self appointed, "Napoleon of the West," invaded Texas flying the "Red Flag" that meant no mercy would be given to those opposing the dictator's army. In an old Spanish mission in today's San Antonio, a small band of rebels led by Texas Republican commander Travis, that included the legendary Davey Crockett, refused the orders to surrender to the Mexican tyrant's much larger army and all went down fighting to the last man shouting "Victory or Death" at the swarming Mexican soldiers.

Today the small old mission/fort sets in a square in downtown San Antonio surrounded by tall buildings flying the Lone Star flag of Texas, as well it should because the Alamo is a shrine to honor Texas patriots and patriotism. Texas patriotism and American patriotism go together like a glove over a hand; however, Texas patriotism takes the concept to a whole new level -- It's rather like a young person who wants to serve the American Republic by service in the Armed Forces and chooses the U.S. Marine Corps. All branches of the Armed Service are equally honorable, but the Marines are more so. If you don't believe me, ask a Marine! Likewise if you don't understand Texas patriotism, go ask any Texan.

My first impression of the Alamo was, "What a small building to have had such large historical things happen in it." The Texas Ranger who stands guard outside turned to me and said because I had spoken out loud to myself, "This is not an uncommon reaction from first time visitors but you have to understand that the defenses included more than just the mission building, and there were no other structures around. In 1836 the land surrounding the mission was flat and barren. In front of us you would see Travis with his spy glass looking at the approaching Mexican army of thousands marching up and forming ranks. These are hardy and well trained soldiers who are seasoned in combat and survivors of a long march from Mexico by horse and foot. They wear Napoleonic style uniforms and are armed with smooth bore muskets that are very deadly when fired by volley at close range and fitted with bayonets. Then take another look at the defenders: they wear what's most comfortable and practical, the only uniform visible is wore by Travis." The Ranger pointed to right, "I see the artillery is in place and the band is playing a tune that translated into English is "Cut Throat" which is to say no mercy will be given. Then a cannon fires! The battle is on...."

I said, "You make it sound like it happened yesterday." The Ranger pulled off his hat for a moment to wipe away the sweat and exposed his grey hair. I continued, "It must get boring telling that same story to tourists all day every day you're here. The Ranger smiled, "I only tell that story to people I hear comment, "Gee, it's a small building." I replied, "My apology." The Ranger smiled and said, "Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness." I smiled back, John Wayne said that and I do believe he played Davey Crockett in the 1962 movie about the Alamo. I must been about 14 years old when the movie out and bet saw it dozen since then."

"Where are you from?" The Ranger asked. I heard some voices and noticed a party of chattering Japanese tourists were taking pictures of me and the Ranger with the Alamo as background. "The last place was Orlando, Florida. We call it, MOUSETOWN, USA because of Disney World."The Ranger thought for a moment and related, "I've been there with grand kids. They loved it. I hated it! It's too expensive and too perfect to be true. I think Disney World should be renamed, "The Money Pit."

I laughed and, "All too true! But don't you think you get your money's worth? You're buying a wonderful memory for your grand kids. I mean on the KID CALENDAR a trip to Disney World is up there with Christmas and birthday parties." The Ranger chuckled and said, "You must work for Disney, or the Orlando Chamber of Commerce." I saluted him and said, "I serve the United States, sir! I mean once a soldier of the Republic, always a soldier." "I see," said the Ranger, "You're retired U.S. Army. What's your name?" I replied, "Ronbo" The Ranger repeated, "Ronbo. This sounds like an alias. What your real name?" I smiled and said, "If I told you that, you'd have to arrest me. I understand there's APB out on me courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service."

The Ranger put on his war face and looked at me with steady blue eyes. A woman tourist with a map was approaching the Ranger, stopped dead in her tracks by his glance. Even the Japanese tourists stopped their chatter and looked at the two of us with questioning eyes that said, "What's happening?" He said, "Now I remember: Ronald Barbour! The Presidential assassin and terrorist. Wanted for questioning by the U.S. Secret Service. May be armed and dangerous!" The Ranger started to key his mike but stopped and said. "No way! This is not my first day at the rodeo! There ain't no way no man on the run is gonna talk to a Texas Ranger in front of the Alamo at high noon! No siree! A desperate man in gonna steer a country mile around a Ranger in full dress uniform and armed! Tell the truth -- the boys put you up to this? I bet you're retired Ranger and when I call for back up and take you in everyone is gonna laugh like hell at the station."

I looked around the plaza in front of the Alamo. I would lay a bet the viewing public to this was like being on the highway and seeing a police unit with it's emergency equipment on and the officer talking to the driver of a car he just pulled over, you know how serious the problem is and you can't hear the conversation, but you're thankful its not you getting the ticket or about to be thrown into a tiny underground cell, so you look the other way and move on, which started to all around the two of us. I said, "Why don't you just ask to see my driver's license? I rather doubt your friends would be going to that much trouble." The Ranger looked at me and shook his head and replied, "Let's pull over to the side and have a one on one, this is getting too public." We both moved over to the monument to the Alamo defenders. The public continued to do their tourist things, the emergency lights were off.

We walked over to a bench opposite to the monument to the defenders of the Alamo, "Have a seat, " the Ranger said indicating a space next to him, "Do you smoke?" "Nope." I said. "A nasty habit, " the Ranger testified and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. The smoke break was soon in session. He continued, "I'm not going to ask you for I.D. If it did and if you turn out to be Barbour, I'd have to take in custody. My radar tells me you're good people, and in over 20 years of law enforcement work my radar has never been wrong. I would suggest you get out of San Antonio soon, like today."

The Ranger pulled his cigarette out his mouth and ground it out under his boot. He looked at me and said, "You know I don't think you had any fear of me arresting you...I've never had a desperate man as cool and collected as you are..Don't you have nerves?" I replied, "Yes, I have nerves, but my radar told me you wouldn't arrest me." The Ranger smiled, "You have human radar too? You know what I mean -- the ability to size up a person in an instant -- to separate the good from the evil. And it's never wrong. NEVER! " I said, "Truly a gift from God. There is another reason why you didn't arrest " I rose and looked at the statute to the Alamo defenders, "If the two of us had been alive then we would have stood shoulder to shoulder against Santa Anna. We are patriots. What is Texas?...What is the United States?...But a wonderful dream. An Ideal. A dream worth fighting and dying for...A dream for the ages...Those men who fought at the Alamo would have died anyway. We all die someday. I think it is much better to die for a noble Ideal on a field of battle than to die in bed of natural causes.

A group of laughing young Mexican-American school kids dressed in the uniform of a Catholic school came marching past on their way to a school bus and one handsome boy with dark hair and flashing white teeth shouted at the Ranger and me,

"Remember the Alamo!"

"Victory or Death!"

"Down with Santa Anna!"

"Up with The Lone Star!"