A union meeting of The Commercial Oystermen of Texas was held on Friday, February 10th at the Bauer Building in Port Lavaca to discuss what the Oystermen say is a case of discrimination against undocumented workers by the local Coast Guard.

The oystermen say they are being impeded while harvesting oysters in the approved areas that are currently open in Galveston and San Antonio Bays. Most areas are still closed due to the outbreak of Red Tide along the Texas coast this year, one of the longest outbreaks the state has ever seen.

But oystermen out in these areas say they have been boarded not only by Texas Park and Wildlife officers doing routine checks but also by Coast Guard officers who are being accused of harassing the workers over their immigrant status.

Coast Guard officials did not have a representative at the meeting despite being invited, but there was a handout, embellished with the Coast Guard seal, which stated that a documented vessel must be owned and operated by a United States citizen. The document also stated that at least seventy five percent of the vessels crew must be U.S. Citizens and/or permanent resident aliens and that no more then twenty five percent of the crew may be working on the waters due to the Immigration and Nationality Act, and that those percentages included the vessel’s master.

The document also gave pictured examples of what documents could be used for proof of citizenship. The list also made note of the fact that a drivers license and social security cards were not valid documents for immigration status.

But union officials and a large number of the oystermen attending the meeting stated that the Coast Guard has gone out of it’s way to find small faults with boats in the approved areas just to be able to board the boats and check immigration papers of those working on the water.

Union member Jose Aguilar believes that the Coast Guard’s focus this oyster season has changed from safety to documentation.

“Right now the Coast Guard is not focusing on safety…making sure everybody on the boats is OK. Right now they are focusing on checking [immigration] papers. The [oystermen] feel threatened right now.”

Another issue facing the union’s members was that the frequent and sometimes lengthy stops are hurting business, tremendously impacting profits at a time when both the Red Tide and a three-thirty curfew for oyster harvesting makes the job even more difficult than usual. One such stop by the Coast Guard allegedly resulted in an hour and half work stoppage, even though  Aguilar had the boat inspected by the Coast Guard earlier in the year.

Union President Mauricio Blanco stated that although he cannot speak for the Coast Guard on these issues, he does feel that there has indeed been some possible harassment and that they will continue to press the matter through a letter writing campaign to their Congressmen and other state officials.

The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife explained that their heightened presence on the water on opening day was due to not being able to know how many boats would be out that day.  They also stressed the fact that their department is focused on preserving the natural resources of the area, not immigration or alien status, although they do require men working the oyster boats to be able to show a valid ID if they are inspected by the department.

“I realize that there is unhappiness with the Coast Guard,” stated Game Warden Mike Mitchell. “We are primarily concerned with the resource… the bags, the cut off time and the location that you’re oystering in. We are not looking at citizenship status.”

The Dolphin Talk’s representative attempted to contact the Coast Guard for their statement on this matter, but received no response by press time.

Elgio Munoz, Jose Aguilar, Alex Guiterrez. TPWD Game Wardens Mike Mitchell and Philip Bird at the Oystermen meeting.

I was listening to the ol’ oystermen
telling their tales of dragging the bottom,

spilling their souls like “pieces of silver”
tossed onto a sawdust floor,

their eyes, red like the tide, their skin, worn and
wrinkled like the onyx oyster shells.

We drank from amber bottles at the bar,
I bought some, they bought some,

mostly with money they didn’t have,
running tabs, running into the red.

A red tide wrecked their season,
bank accounts bleeding red as boat payments

ran aground. It was a
season, too short for too many.

Most, still seeing red, told tales with violence in
their voices, of being boarded and fined,

several times –
one, boarded over and over

all in one day; the men in green kept sayin’,
“caught ya red-handed,”

but they were really goin’ for the green,
seems –
the State needed money, too.

Someone fed the Wurlitzer but it wouldn’t work,
the only sound, a sad onyx silence.

So we drank more beers, and the oystermen
sang bluesy songs of old sailors

trying to survive; bluesy songs of sailors
with hope in their hearts;

they were a tiny theater,
and I was an audience of one,

peering through an amber curtain.

February 2012

The obvious intent of the design of the Bloody Arm Flag was to intimidate Mexico in the most graphic way possible to show the ‘Texians’ would stop at nothing in the cause of Texas Independence. It was hoisted above the town of Goliad. The white flag showed an arm holding a bloody saber designed and located directly in the center of the flag.

It is claimed that the ‘first’ Declaration of Texas  Independence was signed December 20, 1835 by ninety two citizens at the altar of the La Bahia presidio chapel in Goliad. However, it is less known than the official convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos where the Declaration of Texas Independence was signed February 28, 1836. In the end, they both meant the same; Texas would fight for their freedom.

La Bahia was to become the origin of the second battle cry of the revolution. “Remember the Alamo….Remember Goliad.” This was because during 1836 Texas campaign, Colonel James Walker Fannin’s force surrendered in defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. From there they were marched to the presidio where they were imprisoned for a week. On Palm Sunday, March 27, Col. Fannin and his 341 men were marched outside the walls and were shot to death in merciless cross fire by the Mexican Army.

After the smoke from many guns settled, each Texan that showed any sign of life were bayoneted. In spite of the treachery of cold blooded murder of prisoners only twenty eight of the prisoners were saved from execution. Included in these were three doctors, a young teenaged lad and others. Had it not been for the heroism of a beautiful young Mexican lady, the wife of Captain Alvarez who was ordered by General Santa Anna to execute all that picked up arms against Mexico just as happened in the Alamo, all 341 would have no doubt, been killed. Her name was Panchita Alverez, the Angel of Goliad.

Much has been written of this brave legendary heroin. After the decisive Battle of San Jacinto she followed her husband as he and his troops retreated to Matamoros. He later abandoned the Angel of Goliad and the two children while in Mexico City. She returned to Matamoros penniless and turned to some Texians who knew of her kindness and protected her. From there she quietly faded from the history books. Her final days were spent in the employment of the King Ranch where she lies buried in an unmarked grave.

There are many stories of this Mexican woman’s brave challenge that could, on many occasions, have earned her the consequences of those she could not save. Among the twenty some odd that were saved one was Reuben Brown, a Georgian, who became, in later years, a colonel in the Confederate Army and a wealthy planter at Brazoria. He wrote: “General Urrea (commanding the Mexican forces there) said that I would have to be executed according to Santa Anna’s orders. I was taken out to be shot, but was spared through the intervention of a priest, and a Mexican lady named Alverez. I was then marched with the other prisoners to Matamoros.’’

Many important folks in the Goliad area wanted to have a county named for the Angel of Goliad. However, there was much confusion about her name. Was Panchita a nick name? Or was it Maria Agustina de Pozo Alverez native of Toluca.

What ever her name might have been, there is no doubt her visionary bravery shall forever be remembered for the souls she saved and the prisoners she cared for. Indeed, she shall be called the Angel of Goliad.

-Bob Jamison lives in Dayton, Texas near the Trinity River where one of the scenes of the Runaway Scrape occurred. From those accounts it is told the guns of San Jacinto could be heard there. jbobalong@yahoo.com

Historical re-enactors portraying Texas heroes Col. William B. Travis, Gen. Sam Houston and Davy Crockett will help lend an authentic air to the Texas Independence Day celebration March 3-4 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.

This year’s two-day festival commemorates the 176th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, by 59 men who gathered on the banks of the Brazos River for the Independence Convention. Children are invited to have their photo taken with the Texas heroes.

A special Texas Independence Day program will be held starting at 1:30 p.m. in the park amphitheater with a performance by the Aggie Wranglers, a high-energy country-western dance group.

Highlighting the program will be a 3 p.m. roll call of the direct descendants of the signers of the document who declared Texas’ freedom from Mexican rule. Visitors may want to arrive at the amphitheater at 12:45 p.m. to enjoy the Tanner Family Minstrel Show.

Appearing on the afternoon program will be Bob Heinonen, who will portray Alamo commander William B. Travis for the final time after 20 years of interpreting his character at the annual celebration. The day’s program concludes at 3:15 with a blackpowder rifle salute and the traditional cutting and serving of pieces of a Texas-sized birthday cake.

There is no cost to attend the two-day festival that takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the 293-acre “Birthplace of the Republic of Texas” located between Navasota and Brenham.

Throughout the weekend, park visitors will be transported back to a time when Texas was a sovereign nation. The public can mingle with members of the Texas Army and other re-enactors attired in period clothing, admire the craftsmanship of skilled Texas artisans and immerse themselves in the music and stories of the republic’s past. On both days, vendors will be selling food and drinks.

During the weekend, park visitors will be able to stop in at a river overlook campsite and experience a slice of what daily life was like for those who volunteered to fight for Texas independence as a member of the Texian Army. There also will be small arms and artillery firing demonstrations at the overlook and the Washington Inn.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site features three attractions that are open year round: Independence Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum and the Barrington Living History Farm. The event is made possible through funding from the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association, Exxon/Mobil Corporation and Bluebonnet Electric Co-op.

The Star of the Republic Museum will be opening a new exhibit titled “A Slice of Life: Washington in the 19th Century.” The exhibit focuses on the people, businesses and events that influenced the fledging village of Washington in the 1830s. In the early days of the republic, the village at the site of a major Brazos River crossing was a hub for medical practices, land offices, mercantile establishments, hotels, a newspaper and taverns. A sneak preview of the Asa Hoxey collection also is planned. The exhibit continues through the end of the year.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located between Brenham and Navasota off State Hwy. 105 and FM 1155, approximately one hour northwest of Houston. For directions or more information, call the state historic site at (936) 878-2214.

To see a YouTube video about Washington-on-the-Brazos, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/TexasParksWildlife#p/c/119/QQvK6AFtdh0