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A brass plaque of the “Texian” poem
— penned by local 2011 Texas Poet Laureate Dave Parsons — has a date for its
unveiling.
The new statue featuring his poem will be unveiled July 17, at 6 p.m. at the
Texas Flag Park adjacent to the Central Library in Conroe as a project of the
Montgomery County Literary Arts Council.
Parsons composed the poem for the opening of the flag park and unveiling of the
statue of a Texian soldier by sculptor Craig Campobella in 2011.
The event will be held on the birthday of James Walker Fannin Jr. Fannin was a
19th-century American military figure in the Texas Army and leader during the
Texas Revolution of 1835-36.
After being outnumbered and surrendering to Mexican forces at the Battle of
Coleto Creek, Colonel Fannin and nearly all his 344 men were executed soon
afterward at Goliad, Texas, under Santa Anna's orders for all rebels to be
executed. He was memorialized in several places with his name, including a
military training camp and a major city street of Houston.
Robin Montgomery, Texas historian and native of Montgomery County, with six
degrees and scores of published books and articles, will offer a presentation on
the life of James Fannin.
“The Texian” statue will be at the entrance to the Texas Flag Park. Parsons’
poem has often been read at San Jacinto Day celebrations in Conroe.
Parsons said he read several Texas history books with the aim of composing a
poem with historical accuracy and insights to the people and times of the
revolution. He was most influenced by historian, Stephen Hardin’s book, “Texas
Iliad” published by University of Texas Press.
“If we have grown up in Texas, we think we know more about the Texas revolution
than we really do. I learned an enormous amount of details about the main
players of the war. It was a truly enlightening experience researching for the
poem, I recommend anyone interested in our state heritage revisit the history”
Parsons said.
Through the generosity of organizations, individual donors and a silent auction
at an Emily Dickinson Celebration in December, half of the funds was raised
earlier in the year. Another push to complete the project took place prior to
San Jacinto Day on April 21 this year.
According to the arts council, the poem “will be an additional enhancement to
the park for everyday visitors.” The poem also will serve as an “artful
introduction to the park.”
Parsons credits the support of the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance, the Friends of
the Flag Foundation, the Texas Heritage League, and area citizens, Dr. Richard &
Ann Griffin, Carlos & Maggie Gutierrez, Margaret Adams Madeley, Edna & Downey
Price, M.D., Paul & Shiirley Senkel, Delores Bell, Mary & Dick Coyle, Dr. Henry
Lyne, Marla Myers and Jeff & Juaneva Jamar of Austin and local sign companies,
Signs Etc., FastSigns, Inc. and craftsman, Jerry Mathews were also generous to
the project.
Visit www.texasflagpark.com for
more information about the park. Visit
https://literaryartscouncil.org/ for more
information about the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council.
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