Alamo Letter Unveiled at County Veterans Memorial Park

CONROE, TX -- From now on in Conroe, February 24th, will have a new meaning in Montgomery County, for it was on that day in 1836, when the Texian Army at the Alamo garrison was surrounded by the Mexican Army, and greatly outnumbered; one of the most famous letters of all time was penned by Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis. The dramatic opening, “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World,” was a heartfelt and a passionate plea for aid that Travis, knowing the circumstances; knew may never come, but as he concluded his letter with “Victory or Death,” little did he know that and he and his fellow 189 Alamo defenders were headed for legend. In remembrance of the sacrifice of The Defenders at the Alamo, the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission, and The Alamo Letter Society, teamed up this past Saturday to unveil a new bronze plaque of the famed letter written in the most stressful of times in Texas History. Veterans Commission Chairman Judge Jimmie C. Edwards welcomed attendees to the new terrace, now complete with newly installed sun-shade sails, at the Honored Mission National Museum, which overlooks the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park.

Judge Wayne Mack’s invocation sparked reflections of Texas history and the Defenders of the Alamo, in the valiant effort playing their part in the creation of our initial Republic, then State.
“Today, we remember Lt. Col. William Travis and all those who stood at The Alamo,” said Judge Mack. “Travis’ words were a declaration of his faith and resolve.”

Mack praised Judge Edwards’ passion to turn a swamp into a majestic place of remembrance to the sacrifices of our military men and women, first responders, and the heroes that breathed life into Texas. He spoke of Travis' courage at The Alamo, facing impossible odds that would have broken many a man's spirit, but the commander and his defenders bought with their lives, precious time needed to birth an army that would ultimately bring about the Republic of Texas.

Montgomery County Pct. 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, read the Alamo Letter, stressing the need to teach history to our kids.

“Placing the Alamo Letter here in First Responder Plaza is one of the most important things we can do for the State of Texas,” said Riley. “I’m a history nut. I love history, and we need to study history so we know not. or know what to do again.”

Riley spoke of Kat Rummell, The Montgomery County Chair for the Alamo Letter Society, who called him for assistance in placing the monument, not knowing it would take a forklift to muscle the plaque in its new home. He noted hearing Judge Edwards’ initial conception of the park in commissioners court, and failing at first to understand its true greatness, but now realizes its magnitude; and is grateful to have played his part in contributing to its growth with the delivery of the Alamo Letter.

Riley read The Travis Letter passionately, then was about to return to his seat, when he was reminded by Commission Executive Director Elizabeth Woods to turn the page of the script. Charlie returned to the podium saying, “See why you don’t put me first,” as he paused. “P,S. … .” as he finished with the Travis postscript.

County Judge Mark Keough spoke fondly of Travis’ Letter and all the statues and monuments denoting Texas’ history as part of Our States’ DNA. He pointed to the 1824 Flag, which flew over The Alamo at the time of the battle, under which Travis wrote his famous words, noting the symbolism of our shared heritage and values as we remember the waxing days of the history of Texas.

Judge Keough’s Chief of Staff Jason Millsaps, who is a 7th Generation descendant of Alamo Defender, Issac Millsaps, 41, from Gonzales, Texas, who was part of the ‘Immortal 32,’ the relief force of Texian Militia from the city’s Ranger Company, that responded to The Alamo’s aid at the call for reinforcements. The men all perished at the fort five days after arriving.

“On behalf of all the Alamo descendants across the globe,” said Millsaps. “I’m honored to be here at this dedication of The Travis Letter.”

Millsaps praised Kat Rummell, for making the letter to be made available to the park, as well as Commissioner Riley for its placement.

Dr. Danny Reeves, the Recruiting Chair of The Alamo Letter, a group dedicated to placing a plaque of the famed message on the grounds of every courthouse in The State, told the story of the Texas sized history project, brought to life by the thought of then 7th grader, Slone McNutt, in 2023, who originated the idea to have a plaque of the letter stamped around each of the state’s county seats. Montgomery County is the 26th county to have a plaque placed on its grounds and is unique in having the monument placed at the Veterans Memorial Flag Park. Reeves met Rummell in Corsacana, and recruited her to chair the MC project, to which she took up the mantle. There are an additional 80 counties in Texas that are in the process to obtain a monument, with 148 counties yet to begin the process, which is an amazing statistic when looking at the young age of the organization.

Dr. Reeves presented Kat Rummell with the Albert Martin Award, dedicated to the rider who delivered the Travis Letter to Lancelot Smithers, to inform the People of Texas about the plight at The Alamo. The letter eventually made its way to Travis’ family back in Alabama, before The State of Texas was able to buy back the letter for posterity in 1891. It has been shown sparingly since, the last time recalled on February 24, 2013, at the Alamo. Rummell recalled her fiance Kent, whose passing brought Reeves to suggest Kat as the county chair for the project, and started the ball rolling with the Veterans Commission and Commissioner Riley’s office.

“I am truly thankful to Elizabeth Woods and Charlie Riley and to your teams for making the placement of the Travis Letter possible,” said Rummell.

Following the terrace ceremony, the crowd broke ranks and traveled to the northside of the park to First Responders Plaza, where the Alamo Letter monument was unveiled. The Travis Letter bronze will soon be joined by the new building on the site, Honored Mission Hall, which is currently on-track to be opened to the public on Veterans Day in November. Construction has just started on The Gold Star Mothers Memorial, along with a serenity garden which will be installed to give Veterans and their supporters a chance to remember and reflect on their service, as well as The Fallen, and affords relatives to find a chance to find peace amongst the flags and memorials. Also, a six pound cannon will also be installed on the terrace that will be used at future ceremonies at the park.

Judge Edwards has always said that the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park will be ever changing, and he is holding true to that pledge.

For donations: honoredmission.org and alamoletter.com