Decision to Allow Booze at Alamo Draws Criticism
A decision to allow alcohol at the Alamo Complex, announced Thursday by the Texas General Land Office, is drawing criticism from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The hallowed ground, the group said, is no place for a beer bash.
The DRT, which had charge of the complex until last year, has long opposed allowing alcoholic beverages at the site, said organization President Katherine Thompson.
“It’s actually where men died fighting for freedom, and we feel that offers you a different level of respect,” Thompson said. “That standard to keep that respect would not be a party atmosphere ...
Comments (21)
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
as a woman w/deep roots in San Antonio, I remind the prim daughter that all the boys drank and they did so in the rhythms of their lives!
Michelle Michon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I agree with Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. Period.
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
DRT are party poopers - their ancestors who fought & died at the Alamo would be disappointed in them...
They were nursing hangovers the day of the battle... If they could vote today, I'm pretty sure I know how they'd vote on this matter.
Sarah Reveley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
As a 6th generation Texan born and raised in San Antonio, I would like to remind all of you that every one of them died in a bloody battle, their bodies burned, and the Alamo is now a shrine to their patriotism. The Daughters are right.
Richard S. Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Can you carry a concealed musket?
Sonora Hartley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Good grief - a glass of wine, cocktail or beer at a reception or with dinner does not a beer bash make and if these women think so I wonder about their personal lives. Whether they approve or not many people actually enjoy visiting the Alamo and grounds but I seriously doubt it makes them want to belly up to the bar and sing bawdy songs. And what kind of groups gather here? Hell's Angels? Get over it girls. A couple of drinks show neither respect or disrespect.
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Isn't it a chapel in the mission? Come on-- no alcohol. Silly.
David O
I don't always agree with the DRT (well, almost never) but as a 5th generation Texan, I find this troubling. Selling Texas' heritage, most likely to Republican friends since I doubt the GLO is capable of running a bar, is not acceptable. I'd be willing to bet the money the State receives (if any) goes into the General Fund rather than be restricted to maintenance and upkeep of the Alamo site. Having been to the Alamo, I can assure you that anyone that needs or wants an drink only has to do a short walk to The Menger or the Hyatt hotels, not to mention many other places within a block or two.
As noted in the article, "Thompson compared the site to Gettysburg or the U.S.S. Arizona, saying such locations deserve a respect that goes beyond what one might display at a museum." With no disrespect to those that gave their lives at Gettysburg or on the U.S.S. Arizona, the Alamo is an essential element in the establishment of the Republic of Texas. Just because the U.S. allows drinking at those sites is no reason for Texas to follow suit.
Mark Guinn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh the horror !!! Silly old women
Anya Khan
DRT should not have given up control of the Alamo. Last century the building were falling apart and these women saved it for Texas.
Roger Williams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
While we're at it, let's provide liquor licenses at The Tomb of The Unknowns, the Vietnam Wall and liven up the other memorials around the country. Maybe install some 8-liners.
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It appears some of you did not bother to read the article?
Ron Blancarte via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Any of you that this this is a bad decision - please tell me:
A. Why this is a bad decision?
B. Why drinking at the Alamo is somehow disrespectful to men that died there?
namoyer
Go Cups @ the Alamo, whoo hoo! So, who gets the beer/wine concession there?? One of Jerry's political contributors??
Christine Lund
As long as there are strict rules and immediate consequences in terms of jail time and fines that will go directly to caring for the site. It won't take long to collect enough money to properly protect this historic site and learn that alcohol and partying is not respectful to the men and women that gave their lives there.
Christine Lund via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Would you go to the cemetery and drink and party? Why is this any different? This is a solemn and historic place that requires a respectful and clear mind to appreciate.
e hart
maybe The Alamo will appear bigger to tourists if they've had a swig or two
Beegowl Seeker
Let's provide access to alcohol in every nook and cranny of Texas so those who begin to tremble at the thought of not being within arm's reach of a drink can be reassured. Freedom! It's what Alamo defenders fought for, after all. Compared to alcohol, marijuana is a relatively benign substance. Our current Texas laws regarding marijuana allow criminals to flourish, destroy families, put minorities in prison at 13 times the rate of whites, and flood our courts with people who pose no threat to society. Now exactly which freedoms did our freedom loving Alamo defenders die for?
Beth Prather
You really have to wonder which one of Mr. Patterson's buddies will profit hugely from this plan. He tried to get the Christmas Mts. for his friend who owned the waste disposal company in Houston.
Ron Blancarte via Texas Tribune on Facebook
There is a certain group of friends that I would do that for. If they passed along, I wouldn't find anything wrong with cracking a beer open along their burial site. And I wouldn't think anything poorly of anyone that choose to do the same for any of their friends.
And I will say this, if you think that the Alamo is a place that "requires a respectful and clear mind to appreciate", then we might as well close the doors on that place now. Because you described about 10% of the people that go visit it.
Tom Walker
I side with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The Alamo is sacred ground.