San Antonio, Texas -- Day 5, January 26, 2023

 

 San Antonio, Texas – Day 5, January 26, 2023

The Lackland AFB graduation ceremony on this somewhat chilly morning was very moving and touching. The Air Force works very hard to instill a sense of patriotism and excellence in these young men and women who have now become part of the larger force which defends our Nation.  The sound of 561 new Airmen saying the Air Force pledge and taking their oath, in unison, brought shivers over me.  Their pledge is one that every person should strive for!  We are very proud of our Isabelle!

We all had a delicious Mexican breakfast/lunch at Martinez Café, then drove downtown to explore the Spanish Governor’s Palace.  This Presidio … and numerous other mission churches and forts in the area …  was  built during the time of rivalry between Spain and France in an attempt to guard against France advancing further into eastern Texas.  This building was originally constructed in 1722 as a one-room house for the Captain of the garrison, but the building was expanded to include more living area, an office, bedrooms and a kitchen.  Another room was added when the captains starting to sell merchandises brought up from Mexico to supplement their income.  The space ceased to function as a military post in 1821, after which the building was used for commercial purposes until the 1920s. The City of San Antonio started restorations on the building in the 1930s, continuing that restoration even today. 

One of the functions of the Presidio was to protect the priests at the local Missions including the Alamo as well as the families that came to settle here. In 1731, fifteen families from the Canary Islands immigrated to establish the town we now call San Antonio. They also established what is now the Cathedral of San Fernando located just a few blocks away.  While they are doing restoration on the outside of the front entrance to the Cathedral, the inside is so beautiful.  The most striking is the beautiful golden altarpiece, the large three-dimensional Stations of the Cross, the beautiful wooden Pieta and the beautiful wooded carving of St. Juan Diego with Our Lady of Guadalupe’s image on his tilma. There was also a very beautiful … new-to-me … image of Our Lady … Our Lady of Candelarlia, Patroness of the Canary Islands. It was donated to the Church in honor of those 56 immigrants from the Canary Islands who had such a significant influence in the settling of this area.

Next up … a very leisurely stroll along the River Walk … enjoying the beauty of the walkway, the varied types of restaurants, some shopping, the theatre area, the ducks, the tourist boats … a delicious ice cream cone!!  The River walk is the icon of San Antonio, and they certainly do a nice job of creating an inviting environment.  All of us, most of all Isabelle whose been up since 4 a.m., were tired; so we came back to the house for relaxation, more family time, Texas BBQ for dinner, then … after an emotional final good-bye … taking Belle back to the base.  Again, so, so many Blessings!!