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Battle of Medina

News Release for the 204th Anniversary of the Battle of Medina

August 19, 2017

Everyone is invited to attend the 17th annual ceremony and symposium commemorating the Battle of Medina, “the bloodiest battle in Texas history”.  The Battle of Medina occurred on August 18, 1813 between the Royal Spanish Army and the Republican Army of the North. Between 800 and 1,300 Americans, Tejanos, Native Americans and Spanish soldiers died in this battle.

 Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2017, a commemorative ceremony will be held under the large oak trees on Old Applewhite Road, near where it intersects with Bruce Road.  A Color Guard will present flags from the countries involved.  Members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will re-dedicate a plague to honor those American Patriots of the American Revolution who died in the battle, and descendants of Peter Sides, American Patriot will honor his service. Wreaths will be laid by the DAR, DRT, Daughters of the War of 1812. Other organizations expected to participate are the SRT, SAR and the Mayflower Society.

 At 1 p.m. a seminar discussing the Battle ofMedina will be held at the ATASCOSA COUNTY LEMING ANNEX (old Leming School).   Opening remarks will be given by Lila Rakoczy, Ph. D., Program Coordinator, Texas Historical Commission and Robert H. Thonhoff, former President of the Texas State Historical Association, author and former Karnes County Judge.  

 SPEAKERS at the symposium include:

 Jo Anne Gonzales Murphy, MS-Psych, ABD(PHD)

 Al McGraw, Archaeologist, TxDot Enviromental Affairs Division (retired)

 Jose “Joe” Lopez, author, founder of Tejano Learning Center, LLC.

 Dr. Ana Caroline Castillo Crimm, Professor Emeritus, Sam Houston State University

 Dr. Amy Porter, Associate Prof. of History, Texas A&M San Antonio

 Dan Arellano, President, Battle of Medina Society

 James Bernsen, MA History, Southwest Texas State University

 Brian Stauffer, Spanish Translator, Texas General Land Office

 ***Historical re-enactors, Eric Morrell and Mike Reynolds, along with others will set up a historically accurate 1813 camp.

 ***Exhibitors will be present selling books, maps, postcards, and other Texas history memorabilia.

       Including: Order of Grenaderos y Damas de Galvez, Canary Islands Descendants Association, Jesse Villareal and more.

 FOOD will be provided by LEMING VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT for a nominal fee, for those who would like to eat before the seminar. Drinks and snacks will be provided by ATASCOSA COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION throughout the event at no charge.

 Signs will be placed to direct you from Highway 281 onto the Old Pleasanton Road, about 10 miles north of Pleasanton, or for further directions, contact Barbara Westbrook, bwestbrook@2fastmail.com or 830 570-3289.

      Sponsored by:

·      ATASCOSA COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

·      THE TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

            WILLIAM HIGHTOWER CHAPTER

·      MEDINA COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

 The following hotels have offered special rates for the event mention “Battle of Medina” or Atascosa County Historical Commission when making your reservation:

 Hampton Inn, 2057 W. Oaklawn, Pleasanton, 830 569-3001 $85/night for August 18 & 19

 Holiday Inn Express, 350 Medical Dr, Jourdanton, 830 769-3323 $89/night for August 18 & 19

Sunbridge Inn & Suites, 388 Medical Dr, Jourdanton, 830 769-3323 $59.95/night for August 18 & 19

 

Earlier Event: May 18
Membership Meeting
Later Event: August 24
Executive Meeting

Mission

The mission of the Alamo Chapter is to:

Support the Purpose, Mission and Goals of the SRT.

Increase public awareness about items of historical significance associated with Texas in the local area.

Support projects that advance the education of local youth in Texas history.

Preserve historical artifacts and increase public awareness of their importance.

When appropriate assist and collaborate with other like minded organizations in activities that support the increase of knowledge regarding Texas and its history.

Membership

Membership Requirements:

Any male, eighteen years or older who is a direct lineal descendant of a person who was a resident of the Republic of Texas prior to February 19, 1846, is eligible for membership. Submission of the appropriate SRT membership application, with chapter endorsements, payment of the required fee and approval of the Historian General, Secretary General and President General is required.

Types of Membership:

JUNIOR (under 18): Junior members pay no annual dues, and may not vote or hold office. At age 18 they are automatically upgraded to regular membership. Applicants for junior membership pay a, one time, non-refundable processing fee of $30.

REGULAR (18 or over): Dues for regular members are $75 a year. Applicants for regular membership pay a non-refundable processing fee of $50. Their dues are waived for the current year.

LIFE: Life membership, which exempts members from payment of annual dues, is open to a member of any age for a fee based on their age. Junior members shall become Life Members upon payment of $1,000.00. Regular members between the ages of 18 and 40 years shall become Life Members upon payment of $750.00. Regular members over the age of 40 years shall become Life Members upon payment of $600.00. New Applicants for life membership pay this fee in addition to a processing fee of $50.

SENIOR: A Regular Member, who has reached the age of seventy (70) years, who is current with his dues, and has been a Member for ten (10) years, may apply in writing to the Administrative Assistant for Senior membership. The Executive Committee, at their sole discretion is hereby authorized and empowered to grant the Senior membership. Senior Members are not required to pay annual dues.

HONORARY: Honorary membership is granted to a maximum of three people a year by vote of the general membership. Honorary members, who cannot be eligible by reason of lineal descent, are chosen for having rendered outstanding service to Texas by furthering the aims and goals of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

POSTHUMOUS (deceased): Application for posthumous membership may be made on behalf of any deceased person who would otherwise be eligible for membership, so long as his death occurred after the founding of the SRT (March 30,1922). The $100 fee includes processing and a bronze grave marker.

Reinstatement: See Renewal below.

Miscellaneous: All donations in excess of the annual dues are tax deductible. Dues are payable in advance for each calendar year. A member can vote and hold office in one chapter, but can hold dual membership in other chapters on payment of $6.00 for each additional chapter. A member may transfer his membership affiliation to another chapter, but must request in writing. A processing fee of $30 must be paid for each supplemental ancestor that the SRT acknowledges. Annual dues shall be assessed for the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, and shall be payable in advance to the Organization. Dues will be considered delinquent ninety (90) days after January 1 of the then current year, and after dues become delinquent the member may be suspended for non-payment of dues at the direction of the Executive Committee. A prior notice of delinquent members will be sent to the chapter prior to the annual meeting.

Renewal: After a membership suspension, a member may be dropped from active membership and denied all benefits arising there from. A member, suspended for non-payment of dues may be reinstated by paying dues for the year’s which his reinstatement is effective and a fifty $50.00 reinstatement fee.

Contact Registrar Ken Pfeiffer for assistance. 210-415-0696.