Texas Memorial Illumination at San Jacinto
One Monument Circle
La Porte, Texas 77571
texasmemorialilluminationatsanjacinto.com
21,500 luminaries will be lit in remembrance of
the Texans who have lost their lives in armed conflict
November 13, 2021
Open to the public 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Free to the public. Voluntary donations may be given at the entrance.
Please allow a minimum of 30 minutes to drive through the luminary lit path.
Honorary Co-Chairs Congressman Brian Babin and Congressman Gene Green
La Porte, TX – The inaugural Texas Memorial Illumination at San Jacinto will take place November 13, 2021, on the grounds of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Volunteers will be placing 21,500 luminaries on the battlefield and the steps of the San Jacinto Memorial Monument. The luminaries represent Texans who have given their lives in armed conflict from the Texas Revolution through Afghanistan. Each luminary tells the story that freedom is not free.
The Houston area is proud to be the home of this significant battleground where the results of a battle in 1836 changed the course of a nation. It is only fitting that such a unique remembrance be held on its grounds. No other battleground in Texas holds such an evening of inspiration. More than 900 volunteers from around the Houston region and beyond will come to honor those who served by serving themselves. On October 30, they will gather and build the 21,500 luminary bags for safekeeping until the sunrise of November 13. At that time teams of volunteers will place them on the battleground ready to be lit just prior to sunset. A Sunset Ceremony for the volunteers will take place shortly thereafter.
Promptly at 6 p.m., the gates will open to the public. Cars will drive the clearly defined paths through the luminary lit battleground. You will have the opportunity to drive among some of the most hallowed ground in Texas. The path will take you through the woods of the battleground. As you round the corner from your wooded drive you suddenly see the towering 567-foot San Jacinto monument – the tallest war memorial in the world. Proceeding nearer the monument you will notice the terraces filled with luminaries. Circling and being led past the reflection pool, luminaries now surround you filling the meadow with light. The luminaries now lead you to the fields where the Texian Army camped the night before the battle on April 21, 1836.
Congressman Brian Babin and former Congressman Gene Green will represent our Texas region as co-chairs of the event acknowledging the sacrifice others have made and congratulating the volunteers for remembering them in such a significant and visually inspiring way.
Denton Florian, a key visionary for the event, history enthusiast, and filmmaker commented, “This illumination will be a sobering and visually inspiring event. Tens of thousands of Texans have paid the ultimate price for our liberty and we have a duty to honor and remember them. The price of freedom is high, and on November 13, 2021, by the tangible act of lighting luminaries to honor those who paid the ultimate price, we can teach our citizens and future generations what has been done by others on their behalf.”
All event information can be found at www.texasmemorialilluminationatsanjacinto.com
The San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield Association and Texas Historical Commission are the sponsors of the event. Other participating partners include Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, Spirit of Texas Bank, City of Deer Park, City of La Porte, City of Pasadena, Sons of the Republic Deaf Smith Chapter, Rotary Club of Pasadena, Rotary Club of North Shore, Rotary Club of Deer Park, Blue Star Moms, Travis Manion Foundation, Honor Café, VoteActively, Wreaths Across America, TNT Networking Group, ABC13, Pasadena Independent School District, Vietnam Veterans of America Baytown, Rotary Club of Veterans- Houston Chapter, Precinct 2 Harris County, Tolunay Wong Engineers, Rotary Club of Galveston Island, Bellaire Lodge #1336, Anheuser-Busch, MCM Sound Systems, Savannah Café and Bakery, Texas Outhouse, VFW Post 912, Hon. John and Gina Manlove, Channel 39-Greg Sitler, Shell Credit Union, Rotary International, Equipment Share, Becky Stockstill-Cobb, CIMA (Channel Industries Mutual Aid), North Channel Star News, Sydney Sherman Chapter SRT, Kingwood Scouts, TotalEnergies, Scout Troup 1954, Rotary Club of Kingwood, TNT Networking Group, Deer Park Historical Society, Red White and Blue Organization, YES Academy, Rotary Club of Harrisburg, San Jacinto College, Volunteer Pasadena, Pasadena Kiwanis Club. Galena Park ROTC, VFW Post 10462 and Auxiliary, Sons of Wisdom Masonic Lodge, Vietnam Veterans of America- Baytown, Crown Hill Cemetary, Texas Army Moms, Highland 4-H Club, Goose Creek Key Club, Interact of La Porte, Goose Creek ISD, Republican Women of Baytown, Pasadena Fire Department, Tiki Island Patriots, South Houston High School NJROTC, Rotary Club University Area, Bay Area Kiwanis Club, Habitat for Humanity Pasadena, Legionnaire Security, Interact of La Porte, V.V.A. Chapter 922, Walmart and the Texas Heritage League.
Release Summary:
The Texas Memorial Illumination at San Jacinto will be held on the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site One Monument Circle, La Porte TX. Just 25 minutes from downtown Houston. In remembrance of Texans who have lost their lives in armed conflict 21,500 luminaries will be lit in on the battlefield and monument. On just this one night, come and experience the battleground anew. The park opens to the public at 6 p.m. and stays open till 12 a.m. You will be led through the battleground with luminaries lighting the way. This event is a free drive-through family event. Come and experience a renewed sense of patriotism as the luminaries tell the story that freedom is not free.
See the website for more details. www.texasmemorialilluminationatsanjacinto.com
Event coordinator Gina Manlove gmanlove@johnmanlove.com