Everyone was going to be wearing boots and a cowboy hat.  Every vehicle would be a pick up truck and have a gun rack.  Americans for sure, but very different then my background, my beliefs, my way of life.

The stereotypes that came to mind when I knew I was going to Texas.  Sure, Texas still resides in the Great Plains area – though on the very opposite side of the plains that I know and love.  A different history, a different culture, and different people.

Flew into San Antonio and made my way north to New Braunfels, TX.  The first thing that struck me was the weather – foggy and 60F sure beat snowy and 10F.

Went to the conference center where we were having our meetings.  Spanish influence architecture with a mixture of Texas.  They put me in a “Sunday House.” A small cabin in the mesquite trees a short walk from the rest of the conference center. 

When walking in, the first thing that crossed my mind was “wow, this would make a great lake cabin up in Minnesota.”  Rustic furniture.  A porch.  Deer grazing in the morning.  Even the décor – the famous lone star was not that far from what I knew. Minnesota also prides itself on its star – sure the L’Etoile du Nord is the star of the north and not the lone star, but Texas is not alone in its fierce independence.

The people were what surprised me.  Down home.  Friendly.  When asked where they were from, most gave me much different answers then I was expecting.  Czech.  German.  Norwegians.  Sure their were Mexicans – but one of two of them were here much longer then my own family.

While I spent most of the time in meetings, I did get a chance to go to the Alamo – the shrine of democracy in Texas.  Where a handful of Texas fought a much larger Mexican force.  But when reading the names on the list of defenders, it is clear; they were less Texans – and more Americans.  People from Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Louisiana.

One thing that we must not forget – a fair number of the names are what we would classify as “Hispanic” today.  The defenders were not all of European ancestry.  And where do you think that the remains of these brave defenders were laid to rest?  In the Catholic Church – build and maintained by Spanish (Canary Island) and Mexican immigrants.  Love of Freedom is not – and was not – solely owned by the Americans.

In the end – the scenery was a little different, the weather was a little different, the food a little more spicy, but the people and their story while unique – has the echo of so many peoples and regions around the country and the world. 

L’Etoile du Nord and the Lone Star both shine pretty brightly – and in the end, have many more similarities then differences.