Texas Heroes Day
Saturday was the celebration of Texas Heroes Day at Monument Hill State Park in LaGrange, TX. I usually try to talk about the demonstrations we do before hand so people will have the chance to come out if they find it interesting. I somehow missed my chance to do that last week so this is a summary rather than an advertisement.
The Texas Heroes Day celebration actually includes a reception at the Fayette Public Library Museum and Archives on Friday evening, the history and singing presentation along with laying the wreaths at Monument Hill on Saturday morning and a presentation at the Texas Heroes Museum on Saturday evening.
The Saturday morning portion of the event is always moving. The history of these brave men and their attempts to stop the Mexican army intruding onto Texas land is fascinating. September 18, 1842 was the day when 36 soldiers from Texas were killed in battle in what became known as the Dawson Massacre. Most of the men involved were from Fayette County and the county has chosen to remember these men well. While this day particularly remembers the men who died protecting Texas in the 1840's, in the Dawson Massacre and those involved in the black bean death lottery of the Mier Expedition, it also pays tribute to all the men and women, past and present, who serve Texas.
Monument Hill is up on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River. It's a lovely and peaceful place with big beautiful trees and a wonderful view out across the valley and past LaGrange.
This is a moving ceremony where all the names of the men involved are read aloud and the stories of their fight are told. They also intersperse lots of songs that the soldiers sang during the time. Wreaths are laid on the graves in the memorial and musket salutes are fired out of respect for all those lost. Sometimes they fire off a cannon but again this year, the county burn ban prohibited it.
This Saturday's presentation was lovely. The weather was great - warm leaning towards hot but since the event is from 9 to 11 am, we were all on our way home before it really got hot. It was bright and sunny with a bright breeze to ruffle the flags. There are always a collection of demonstrations and fun things to do that would be appropriate for the 1830's. There were several of us spinners and weavers along with corn shucking and marble and string games for the kids.
Texas Heroes Day is a great event for school age kids. It's interesting and educational but not too long. You might think about coming out to LaGrange next September.