DUANE
Duane's take
The way the marker tells it, here's the story of David Crockett. Now, some names just carry weight before you even say them out loud. David Crockett is one of those names.
Born in Tennessee on August 17, 1786, he came into a world that was still figuring itself out — and if you study the arc of his life, you might say he never stopped pushing at its edges. He was a young man when he joined the Creek Indian Campaign of 1813 and 1814. That's where a lot of men first tested themselves against something larger than their own ambitions.
Crockett passed that test. Then came the halls of power — and here's where the story gets interesting, because this is a man equally at home in a frontier woods or a legislative chamber. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1821 to 1823.
And if you thought Tennessee was enough of a stage for David Crockett, well, think again. He went on to the United States Congress, representing Tennessee from 1827 to 1831, and again from 1833 to 1835. Two terms in Congress.
That's no small thing. But whatever drove David Crockett, it wasn't the comfort of a well-furnished office in Washington. In January of 1836, he arrived in Texas.
And you have to sit with that for a moment — January 1836. Because March the Sixth, 1836, was coming fast, and it would not wait for anyone. He died a hero at the Alamo on that day.
March the Sixth, 1836. Now, the marker leaves us with his own words — a line that just might explain every choice the man ever made: Be sure you are right — then go ahead. Well.
He went ahead.
What the marker says
Was born in Tennessee on August 17, 1786 Participated in the Creek Indian Campaign 1813-1814 Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives 1821-1823. United States Congressman from Tennessee 1827-1831 and 1833-1835 Arrived in Texas in January 1836 Died a hero at the Alamo March the Sixth 1836. .. Be sure you are right - then go ahead ..