When I was growing up and attending the public schools in Rose Hill, our teachers would instruct us not only in U.S. and Kansas history; but also notable history in other states, such as Texas.
I learned to “Remember The Alamo,” but I never really thought I’d see it in-person. Although I have travelled extensively in northern, western and in eastern Texas, I had never had the motivation to go further south to San Antonio until just a few days ago.
The motivating force was my good friend Archbishop James P. Keleher of Kansas City, Kan., who is active in pilgrimages to various sacred Catholic shrines on behalf of a national committee.
A few days ago, he officiated at a special church service at The Cathedral of San Fernando, which is the oldest active cathedral not only in San Antonio but in all of Texas and in all of the United States.
At the rear of the Cathedral, is a crypt containing the remains of three heroes of the Alamo — David Crockett, William B. Travis and Jim Bowie.
Just before the church service began, I drove a few blocks over and saw The Alamo. When I saw Archbishop Keleher at the cathedral, I shook his hand and remarked how historic that cathedral is. It is amazing to be able to pray in the same house of worship where Jim Bowie married his wife.
To me, history is not dusty textbooks, nor obscure footnotes nor is it cute camera snapshots taken by the casual tourist. To me, real history is a sense of feeling the past and having a personal connection to it. Although Archbishop Keleher is an adopted Kansan and I am a native Kansan, I felt our Kansas connections helped me understand history in a reverent, as well as in a meaningful, way.
— Sincerely,
James A. Marples,
Esbon
