100th Anniversary of Memorial Statue



On Saturday June 16, 2007 re-enactors, historians, public servants, and visitors to the State Capitol in Austin, Texas gathered at the foot of the Terry's Texas Ranger Memorial. In a ceremony marking the100th anniversary of the statue, paid for by the Rangers themselves, people gathered for the event.

The equestrian statue is located on the south side of the Capitol just outside the entrance. It was created by Italian -born Pompeo Coppinni at a cost of $10,000 dollars in 1907. The statue features a watchful Texas Ranger mounted on an alert horse. Coppinni also designed the Centennial Anniversary coin and many statues at Texas A&M, the University of Texas and other locations throughout the state.

The re-enactors entered the capitol grounds from the west side. The flags of 16 states and 9 nations were draped across the rider less horses. Once there, the Rangers commander introduced himself. He then paid honor to the descendents of B. F. Terry who were there for the event, along with other descendents from Waco, Dallas and Gonzales. State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson spoke on the need to preserve history and honor Texas soldiers. He emphasized that Texas values its veterans whether Confederate, Union, Buffalo Soldiers or from modern conflicts. He was followed by Jeff Murrah, a resident of Shoreacres, Texas who also recently received a commission as Admiral in the Texas Navy from Governor Rick Perry. Jeff delivered the keynote on Terry's Texas Rangers and released his new book on Texas history, Texans Always Move Them: A True History of Texas (available at www.NoneButTexians.com). A list of the contents buried within the statue was also presented to the crowd gathered in Austin. In true Ranger style, the crowd cheered when their states or nations were announced. He recounted the history and accomplishments of the Rangers during their time of service and after the war. He also read a list of the artifacts buried within the statue. His comments were followed by a rifle salute. The rifle salute has already been posted at www.YouTube.com on the internet.