With the conclusion of my father’s San Antonio summit meeting (see past Thursday’s blog) at about 4:00 in the afternoon, I took the entire team to the Alamo where I enjoyed leading them on a tour of the remarkable site where 186 men withstood three thousand troops under the command of the notoriously wicked General Santa Anna. I always enjoy speaking in a public forum because it inevitably attracts the attention of passers-by and provides great opportunities for evangelism. On this occasion, I read the letter of the great hero Colonel Travis and shared what we know of his famous speech in which he drew a line in the sand to divide those who would fight from those who wanted to leave. Only one left, for which we can give thanks to God. Because of him we have the story.

After the Alamo and a brief tour of the Menger Hotel where Teddy Roosevelt raised the Rough Riders, my family and I were honored to be joined by my father and the Michael Petrouka family for a special evening of good, old-fashioned red meat and tremendous stories. We plotted, laughed, and rejoiced into the night.

From Doug’s Bookshelf: The Letters and Lessons of Teddy Roosevelt for His Sons is a little volume of letters and speeches that I compiled and edited. The book offers the reader a delightful collection of communications between the President and his children that offer insight into his vision of fatherhood. Also included are his speeches to the boys of America and his “Strenuous Life” speech. Available from Vision Forum.