San Antonio Express News
With Alamo their goal, group treks 75 miles in less than 36 hours to fundraise for veterans facility, 2 of which are members of American Ruck
On Feb. 24, 1836, the commander of the Alamo, William Barret Travis, knew Mexican General Santa Anna’s army of several thousand would soon overwhelm the small fort, so he wrote a now legendary letter appealing for help.
“I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch,” the 26-year old lieutenant colongel wrote. “I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. Victory or Death.”
Few reinforcements arrived, but of those that did, none drew more acclaim than 32 men from Gonzales, a settlement about 73 miles to the east, who sneaked past Santa Anna’s siege patrols one night to aid the Texian and Tejano garrison, knowing almost certainly the fate that awaited them.
Only nine were able to finish the 36-hour walk, arriving at about 2 p.m. Sunday, hours after the anniversary of the Alamo’s fall had been marked with musket volleys in the dawn. They included former Navy SEALS and Army Rangers. All had set off from Gonzales about 2 a.m. Saturday.
Two members who started and finished the Immortal 32 ruck, Matt and Graham, are co-founders of American Ruck.
Ruck Loadout for 75 miles
