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Texas Independence Day Celebration draws hundreds
 By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZManaging Editor
sanbenitonews@sbcglobal.net
Other than the obvious differences, it was not unlike the real thing.
The concluding battle reenactment held at the Texas Independence Day Celebration in San Benito on Saturday portrayed the 13th and final day that the Alamo was under siege by General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Mexican army under his command.
Reenactors playing the part of the Texas patriots experienced difficulty loading their weapons and firing, and before they knew it, the Mexican reenactors rushed a makeshift Alamo and finished off its defenders. As was the case back on March 6 of 1836, when the brave 180-258 men who fought to defend the Spanish Mission were killed, the men who portrayed those Texas heroes were dispatched in similar fashion.
“Viva Santa Anna! Viva Mexico!” shouted the Mexican reenactors. If it wasn't for the modern-day reminders (i.e. cars) surrounding the Plaza San Benito, the site of the 2010 Texas Independence Day Celebration, the battle reenactment would've been a chilling reminder of the sacrifice made in the name of Texas independence. But on Saturday, it instead succeeded in its purpose, to celebrate as well as to educate the public.
Still, reenactment participants who were largely composed of local educators acknowledged that there's only so much information that can be deemed accurate concerning the actual battle of the Alamo. And so Wade Marcum, a 37-year-old Harlingen-area history teacher equipped with replica 1830s-era weaponry and period attire, announced to the 300-plus people in attendance that reenactors would give in - at least just a little - to legend and myth.
Marcum, who portrayed Col. William B. Travis, then proceeded to unsheathe his sword and draw a line in the sand, asking a small group of reenactors playing Texas revolutionaries if they wished to stay with him and fight and die in defense of the Alamo.
They crossed the line.
Whether or not Col. Travis drew a line in the sand has been the subject of debate for over a century. But Marcum said the legitimacy of such a scene was not of importance, because “each one of the men who fought at the Alamo drew a line in their own hearts.”
Attendees listened closely to Marcum, hanging on every word as if they were learning all over again the stories of the Texas Revolution. This was also the case Friday, when acclaimed authors and historians Dr. Jesus de la Teja, Dr. Ana Carolina Castillo Crimm and Dr. Stephen L. Hardin participated in a historical symposium as part of the two-day event.
For the non-profit organization that put on the celebration, the Texas Heritage Independence Celebration Association (THICA), this was evidence that their mission was accomplished.
“The theme for this year was `Educate and Celebrate.' We wanted to educate the public as to the full story of the Alamo, and that what the text book says is not the whole story,” said Elizandro Muñoz, THICA founding board member.
Muñoz said he and other organizers worked tirelessly to assure an improved celebration in 2010. Returning from last year's event were battle reenactments, a parade consisting of horseback riders, and the always-popular pan de campo and chili. Making its debut at the event was the symposium, Conjunto music, an art show, and hay bales and bleachers for the public to get a front-row view of the reenactments.
This coupled with advertisements in the San Benito News and the distribution of a full-color commemorative program helped attract a large crowd, Muñoz said, noting he's put in over a hundred hours of work coordinating and organizing the event.
He added, “We got people from other parts of the Valley that came, like from Mercedes, Donna and Weslaco. That right there will also help us grow our base for next year.”
For Marcum, any opportunity to act out history is one worth participating in. “I'm a history teacher, so I've always loved history. This is just a way of helping me understand history better and understanding the discomfort people from before our time faced,” Marcum said, adding, “It brings about a good perspective.”
Fabian Marcum, Wade's 15-year-old son, was also on-hand at the event and participated in the reenactments. “I like history a lot. This helps me learn new things,” Fabian said.
The educational aspect of the event was further stressed in the art show, an open competition for local students held in three categories: elementary, middle school and high school. Students were asked to depict - by drawing, sculpting or otherwise - their interpretation of Texas independence. First place winners received a $75 prize.
The winners are as follows:
Elementary:
3rd Place - Clarissa Cantu, Frank Roberts Elementary
2nd Place - Stephanie Garcia, Landrum Elementary
1st Place and winner of $75 prize - Gabriel Cantu - Sullivan Elementary
Middle School:
3rd Place - Librorio Martinez, Berta Cabaza
2nd Place - Kairo Castillo, Miller Jordan
1st Place and winner of $75 prize - Christian Hurtado, Miller Jordan
High School:
3rd Place - Daniel Gonzalez, Veterans' Memorial Academy
2nd Place - Natalia Arredondo, San Benito High School
1st Place and winner of $75 prize - Esmeralda Huerta, Veterans' Memorial Academy
PHOTO CREDIT: Shown is a scene from the Feb. 27 Texas Independence Day Celebration in San Benito, where reenactors donned period attire and armed themselves with replicas of 1830s-era weaponry in battle reenactments. (Staff photo by Michael Rodriguez)
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