Honoring a Texas Ranger

With the Legendary Cross

crossceremonytexasranger_web

BY LEE SPENCER WHITE

With Foreword by Lisa Dante

 

Recently on a beautiful, windy, fall day in Harper, a quaint Texas town just north of Kerrville a steel cross was laid next to the grave marker of former Texas Ranger, David Boyd Kent. His gravesite had previously held no indication that he had faithfully served as a legendary member of the infamous and stoic Texas Rangers. But this was the day that would forever honor and acknowledge Ranger Kent’s service.

Lee Spencer White, the founder and President of the Alamo Defenders Descendants Association spoke poignant and meaningful words honoring the life and legacy of the man we all came to honor.

The Kent family descendants stood nearby, along with authentically costumed re-enactors from the 1800’s. Texas Ranger, Retired, Joe B. Davis also spoke and honored the man who died nearly 130 years ago. There were many members of the  general public in attendance who are always welcome to attend any of the cross ceremonies free of charge. Guns and cannons were fired at the end of the ceremony.

TO ATTEND A FUTURE CROSS CEREMONY CHECK THE FORMER TEXAS RANGERS WEBSITE FOR DATES AND TIMES www.TRHC.org

 

DAVID BOYD KENT 1817-1892

David, along with his father Andrew Kent, fought in the skirmish over the loaned Mexican cannon Oct. 2, 1835. “The Lexington of Texas” known as the Battle of Gonzales was the spark  that set the blazing fire of revolution. David, was only 18 years old but on the rough and raw Texas frontier he was a full grown man.

He participated in the Battle of Conception located near San Antonio on  Oct. 28, 1835,  the battle was led by the infamous James Bowie.

David continued to stand along side his father in the bloody fight of the Siege or battle of Bexar (San Antonio) in early December 1835, he received a slight wound.

Along with his friends Andrew J. Sowell and Ben Highsmith they aided the Texan army by being couriers and foragers. David was sent as a messenger from Col. Travis of the Alamo to Col. Fannin of Goliad to come to the aid of the Alamo. Sadly, due to wagon failure and encountering the Mexican army Fannin wasn’t able to aid the Alamo defenders. David Kent’s father Andrew died defending the Alamo March 6, 1836. This tragedy sent the families in Gonzales and beyond fleeing from the Mexican Army. David, helped the families including his own mother and siblings escape toward the east amid muck, mud and misery. There was much illness and hunger among the families.  The constant rain bogged down the family wagons and most slogged their way through the mud holding the children. David witnessed this sad sight of women including his mother grieving the death of their husbands who perished in the Alamo.

He delivered the families to safety before turning his horse towards the upcoming fight between the Texans and the Mexican Army. David, attempted to join the army but was to late to take part in the Battle of San Jacinto.  This young man of 18 took part in all the major fights of the Texas revolution with the exception of the battle that secured Texan independence on April 21, 1836, San Jacinto.

 

 

HOW TO REQUEST A MEMORIAL CROSS

The Texas Ranger Memorial Cross is furnished to members of the Former Texas Rangers Association at no cost. The Association does require that an application be filled out naming the Texas Ranger to be honored and where the Ranger is buried for archive purposes. The Association will also assist members in the planning of the Memorial ceremony and will have an Officer or Director at the ceremony if at all possible. The member is responsible for the installation of the cross. The mission statement of the Former Texas Rangers Association in part is to preserve the true history of the Texas Rangers and to provide landmarks relating to Texas Rangers. The marking of the Rangers’ graves fulfills that part of our mission.

The Memorial Cross was first used in 1999 at the Center Point Cemetery in Kerr County where 32 Texas Rangers are buried. A Memorial ceremony was held at the cemetery and was attended by descendants, Texas Rangers, and the general public. A person can now walk through the cemetery and identify the Texas Ranger with the cross located next to their tombstone. Since that time, the Association has furnished over 650 crosses to descendants that have marked their Ranger’s grave site. The ceremony has brought families together for the mutual purpose to honor one of their own who has served as a Texas Ranger.

The Memorial Cross was designed by Don Holmes of “Stars Over Texas” and is manufactured by his son Jimmy Don Holmes, exclusively for the Association. They both feel a great sense of pride to be a part of this program. The Cross is 18” x 36” with a mounted Texas Ranger circle star badge at the apex of the Cross. It is made of steel and powder-coated for protection from the outside elements.

The Association has received numerous letters of appreciation from not only members but others who have witnessed these ceremonies. It has gotten the attention of the public who did not know that the Former Texas Rangers Association existed, have learned about direct descendants who served as Rangers, have joined the FTRA and are now proud to be a part of this historic effort.

Former Texas Rangers Association P.O. Box 3195

103 Industrial Loop, Ste 700 Fredericksburg, TX 78624

P: 830-990-1192

F: 830-990-1121 www.trhc.org

 

//SA