Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission announces Travis Letter Dedication ceremony for Oct. 11

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission, a locally based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the memories and honoring the sacrifices of county residents who have served in the military over the decades, has announced a special dedication ceremony taking place at the MCVMC Park, located at 1776 Freedom Blvd in Conroe on Saturday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m.

At the ceremony, commission representatives will unveil the newest addition to our Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park: ‘The Travis Letter.’

“In conjunction with the Alamo Letter Society, a monument commemorating the famous ‘Victory or Death’ letter written by the Alamo Commander, Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis, will be displayed for all to see and remember the brave men that made a turning point in Texas history,” said the commission’s executive director, Elizabeth Woods.

The monument will help people recognize and learn about the armed fight that took place at the Alamo.

The letter at the center of this dedication was written by Travis on February 24, 1836, with the garrison surrounded and the Texan Army at the Alamo outnumbered, as a passionate plea for aid. The entire text of the letter reads:

Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World-

Fellow Citizens & compatriots –

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna – I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man – The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken – I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls – I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch – The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country – Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis.
Lt. Col.comdt.

P. S. The Lord is on our side – When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn - We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Travis

The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.

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