Descendants of Davy Crockett are not cowards; like their famous ancestor, they’re willing to stand their ground at the Alamo.
Crocketts from throughout the United States are arriving in San Antonio for a family reunion, and some fear they will be pulled into the controversy over proposals for the Alamo’s future.
Frances John, president of the Descendants of David Crockett, said she expects local “political” factions will try to pull family members into arguments over the way the Alamo is operated and maintained.
“I plan to warn our members that they will be bombarded with questions about the operation of the Alamo,” John said. “But we would never avoid San Antonio – we’re a lot braver than that.”
John admitted family members have a stake in the future of the Alamo – after all, the Shrine and Crockett are inextricably linked in the annals of American history. However, she isn’t sure descendants should become involved in what she says is a political issue.
“We’re reluctant to voice an opinion that’s going to have an effect on the general public,” she said. But she personally objects to several proposals.
For example, she opposes plans to move the Alamo Cenotaph – “it’s a tombstone,” she says – and thinks massive downtown renovations are neither practical nor probable.
She does, however, think Alamo Plaza East, the street in front of the Alamo, where outnumbered “Texians” fought the forces of Mexican Gen. Santa Ana and died – should remain closed.
John said the Alamo controversy will be discussed by the Descendants of David Crockett board of trustees, who will ask members whether they want to make a public statement.
Leonard Stasney, chairman of the group’s board and Crockett’s great-great-great-grandson, said he doesn’t object to proposed renovations at the Alamo – as long as any changes are overseen by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, custodians of the Shrine.
“There are a lot of kudos to be handed to the DRT,” he said. “They rescued the Alamo from oblivion and made it into a real tourist attraction.”
Stasney’s mother, Grace Stasney, 90, is the oldest Crockett among the 200 attending the reunion. She’s not particularly concerned about – or interested in – the Alamo brouhaha.
“There’s no use getting steamed up about something I can’t do anything about,” the DRT member reasoned.
Joy Bland of Paris, Tenn., said she’s intrigued by proposals to turn the Alamo site into a park, complete with historical re-creations.
“People would love to see where the battles were fought,” she said. “Right now, there’s only the chapel.”
