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Beautiful night: Monument hosts annual ‘Elegant Evening’
  
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By ROY N. KENT
Nearly 100 people gathered to bring history back to life at the San Jacinto Monument on Thursday evening.
The third annual “Elegant Evening with History” serves as a fundraiser for the museum. It allows people primarily from east Harris County – including those from Pasadena and Deer Park – to have a chance to contribute to the museum housed inside the world’s tallest war memorial. The San Jacinto Monument stands 567 feet tall, overlooking the Houston Ship Channel and all of east Harris County.
The monument was built on the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle which marked freedom for Texas from Mexico on April 21, 1836.
Despite concerns that the evening would not even take place because of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in September, the event proved to a success.
Businessman and former Pasadena Mayor John Manlove provided the invocation for the event but not before paying tribute to those who died while fighting for the freedom of Texas.
“We are on hallowed ground,” he said. “Right here, blood was shed. Men were willing to give their lives for something they believed in.”
The featured speaker on the night was author Elmer Kelton, who related his view of Texas history. Kelton, known for his Westerns, has written dozens of novels. His books oftentimes take a look at Texas history from the point of view of someone living during that time.
In a nod to the events which happened at the San Jacinto Monument area more than 170 years ago, Kelton spoke of the need to the be vigilant.
“Freedom is never earned permanently, it must continually be re-earned,” Kelton said. “Every generation since that time has had to go out and defend this country and we’ve always done it.
“I’m proud to be a Texan and I’m proud to be an American.”
He continued to speak on the importance of history and making it relevant.
“I’m not a historian, I don’t claim to be,” he said. “I’m more an interpreter of history. I’ve studied a lot of history and I’ve tried to use it to make history come alive in story form.”
Honored at the event was a trio of men who help advance the cause of the museum in keeping Texas history vibrant and alive.
Jimmy Burke, former Deer Park mayor and current Port of Houston Authority commissioner; Aamir Farid, general manager of Shell Deer Park; and Jim Gilbert, banker and current chairman of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, received awards made from actual pieces of the San Jacinto Monument.
The San Jacinto Star Award is the highest honor given by the San Jacinto Museum.
“Tonight I have the honor to offer you a brief glimpse into three lifetimes of commitment to our neighboring communities and this historic site,” said Larry Spasic, president of the San Jacinto Museum of History.
He gave brief biographies of each, complete with humorous “quotes” which drew much laughter from those assembled in the theater at the monument.
The evening closed with Kelton personally signing copies of his books for all those who attended.
For more information on the San Jacinto Monument or the museum, visit the Internet at www.sanjacinto-museum.org.
The third annual “Elegant Evening with History” serves as a fundraiser for the museum. It allows people primarily from east Harris County – including those from Pasadena and Deer Park – to have a chance to contribute to the museum housed inside the world’s tallest war memorial. The San Jacinto Monument stands 567 feet tall, overlooking the Houston Ship Channel and all of east Harris County.
The monument was built on the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle which marked freedom for Texas from Mexico on April 21, 1836.
Despite concerns that the evening would not even take place because of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in September, the event proved to a success.
Businessman and former Pasadena Mayor John Manlove provided the invocation for the event but not before paying tribute to those who died while fighting for the freedom of Texas.
“We are on hallowed ground,” he said. “Right here, blood was shed. Men were willing to give their lives for something they believed in.”
The featured speaker on the night was author Elmer Kelton, who related his view of Texas history. Kelton, known for his Westerns, has written dozens of novels. His books oftentimes take a look at Texas history from the point of view of someone living during that time.
In a nod to the events which happened at the San Jacinto Monument area more than 170 years ago, Kelton spoke of the need to the be vigilant.
“Freedom is never earned permanently, it must continually be re-earned,” Kelton said. “Every generation since that time has had to go out and defend this country and we’ve always done it.
“I’m proud to be a Texan and I’m proud to be an American.”
He continued to speak on the importance of history and making it relevant.
“I’m not a historian, I don’t claim to be,” he said. “I’m more an interpreter of history. I’ve studied a lot of history and I’ve tried to use it to make history come alive in story form.”
Honored at the event was a trio of men who help advance the cause of the museum in keeping Texas history vibrant and alive.
Jimmy Burke, former Deer Park mayor and current Port of Houston Authority commissioner; Aamir Farid, general manager of Shell Deer Park; and Jim Gilbert, banker and current chairman of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, received awards made from actual pieces of the San Jacinto Monument.
The San Jacinto Star Award is the highest honor given by the San Jacinto Museum.
“Tonight I have the honor to offer you a brief glimpse into three lifetimes of commitment to our neighboring communities and this historic site,” said Larry Spasic, president of the San Jacinto Museum of History.
He gave brief biographies of each, complete with humorous “quotes” which drew much laughter from those assembled in the theater at the monument.
The evening closed with Kelton personally signing copies of his books for all those who attended.
For more information on the San Jacinto Monument or the museum, visit the Internet at www.sanjacinto-museum.org.
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