Raymond G. Bronk, 32°
100 Quirt Drive, Burnet, Texas 78611-5917
raybronk@aol.com

An annual Masonic ceremony recalls the heroic Masons who died at the Alamo and inspires us to sustain, as they did, our Masonic obligations.

Photo: Ill. James G. "Jim" Dougherty, 33°

Every year, the Grand Master of Texas, assisted by hundreds of Brothers, heads a traditional ceremony at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Standing on hallowed ground where, in 1836, 187 heroes fell in honor, the Brethren, led by the Grand Master, repeat their Master Mason's obligation first pledged when they were accepted into this beloved Brotherhood.

During this special time, the spirits of Brothers William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, James Bonham, and Almaron Dickinson are surely present. At this blood-bought shrine, these Texans died fighting for their freedom and for our future. But before they died, these Brothers left writings and deeds that strike a familiar chord with modern Freemasons. Just as we do today, these Brothers opposed tyranny, honored their obligations honestly and freely pledged, and demonstrated their belief that all dark days will pass.

Bro. William Barret Travis wrote of his obligation to "sustain as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country."

Bro. Jim Bowie fought with pistols and knife from his sickbed, showing bravery in the face of overwhelming odds and obligating himself with his life before bullets stilled his valiant heart.
Bro. Davy Crockett hated despotism and believed it his duty to fight mightily for Texas freedom. During the first bombardment of the fort, he was everywhere in the Alamo "animating the men to do their duty."

Alamo Lodge No. 44, San Antonio, was founded on January 15, 1848, in what remained of the "Long Barracks" in the Alamo. The Lodge holds a Master Mason's re-obligation service each year near its founding date in the Alamo's chapel. The Grand Master of Texas, other Grand Lodge Officers, members of the Lodge, and visiting Master Masons open Lodge and repeat the Master Mason's obligation led by the Master of the Lodge. Photo: Ill. James G. "Jim" Dougherty, 33º

Bro. James Bonham eluded Mexican guards and patrols twice in two weeks to slip out of the Alamo and make two 230-mile round-trip horseback rides to beg for help, help that never came. Then, because he was trained to fight with cannon and knowing that the garrison needed his expertise, he stayed to fight, obligating himself with his life while manning his cannon.

Bro. Almaron Dickinson, an expert cannoneer, was in charge of artillery at the Alamo. When the battle was nearly lost and his death almost certain, he directed his wife to display his Masonic apron and so hope for mercy from the Mexican Freemasons when they took possession of the fort. Then he returned to the fray to give his last breath to freedom's cause.

Each year as the Masonic re-obligation ceremony draws to a close at the Alamo, there is a look of satisfaction, inspiration, and determination on the faces of the participating Brothers. The next time you recite your Master Mason's obligation, allow your mind to wander, imagine yourself standing in that dimly lit, tiny chapel. Then reflect on how the fulfilled obligations of those heroes of yesterday can motivate us today to apply Masonic truths to everyday acts, to find inspiration in ordinary events, to live for freedom, and to love our fellowman. If we do so, we will honor and apply our Masonic obligations as did the heroes of the Alamo.

Raymond G. Bronk is a retired USAF fighter pilot. He became a Mason in October 1999 at Kingsland Lodge No. 1424, Kingsland, Texas; joined the Valley of Austin, Texas, in 2000; and became a Charter Member of the Order of the Thistle of the Knights Commander of Saint Andrew, Valley of Austin, in 2002. He is a full member and the Tiler of the Texas Lodge of Research; Senior Deacon of Valley Lodge No. 175, Burnet, Texas; and a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, the Philalethes Society, and National Sojourners, Inc.