A group of amateur radio operators on Sunday remembered the final battle for Texas' independence.
Twenty-two operators checked in to Texas Heritage Net during the group's weekly meeting to talk about San Jacinto Day.
The Battle of San Jacinto took place April 21, 1836, east of today's downtown Houston. The final battle in the Texas War of Independence, led by Gen. Sam Houston, lasted 18 minutes. It ended with hundreds of Mexican casualties and only nine Texan casualties. The following day the Texas Army captured Santa Anna, the president of Mexico. They held him until he signed the peace treaties for the Mexican army to leave.
Lamar Denby, local radio operator, said the 22 operators who checked in came from all over the country, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas and Kansas. He said they discussed historical dates of when people arrived in Texas and what their goals were. The network is not politically motivated, he said.
"We had one young man who was in New York City in the bay in front of the Statue of Liberty when he checked in," Denby said. "There is no greater symbol than the Statue of Liberty of our freedom. The Alamo stands today as a symbol of freedom, just like the Statue of Liberty."
Each year, on April 21, a festival that includes a reenactment of the battle occurs the site of the battle. Denby said it's important that Texans remember San Jacinto Day.
"The men at Goliad were massacred after they surrendered, thinking they'd be taken as prisoners of war," Denby said. "The battle cry at San Jacinto that day was, 'Remember the Alamo and remember Goliad.' I think citizens of the state of Texas need to remember the sacrifices that were made for the freedom of this state."
Denby holds the history of Texas in high regard. It's part of his own history, as well. Denby said his great-great-grandfather, Lt. Col. Moses F. Roberts, lost his right eye in the Battle of San Jacinto, and later served in the Congress of the Republic of Texas. He had planned on joining Davy Crockett in San Augustine, but his troop was delayed due to bad weather. Instead he joined the Jasper Volunteers and later served as a congressman from San Augustine County. He later rode horseback from Shelby County to Austin to serve in the Senate.
"I would like to think I have the same love for Texas he had," Denby said.
The Texas Heritage Net meets each Sunday at 8 p.m. CST on 7227 KHz. All radio amateurs with a license to operate on the frequency are invited to participate.
