Texas Our Texas

We didn’t need permission to be free then, and we certainly don’t need it now.

Today is March 2, and while most of the world doesn’t mark anything unique about that day, we Texans hold our head a little higher (if that’s even possible.)

Because on March 2, 1836, we officially adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence. The formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution passed without any debate.

The declaration established the Republic of Texas, although it was not officially recognized at that time by any government other than itself. To understand that one statement is to understand the heart of a Texan.

We didn’t need permission to be free then, and we don’t now.

I’ve been blessed to travel the world as the son of a military officer and throughout my business career. And it doesn’t matter where I go; people are fascinated with Texas. They want to understand what motivated a legend like Davy Crocket to say, “You can go to hell; I’m going to Texas.” They can’t fathom why so many heroes willingly laid down their lives at the Alamo. They see ‘Come and Take It’ bumper stickers and think it’s all about guns – it’s not. It was initially about our independence.

To understand Texas is to understand why people are flocking here by the thousands from the East and West coasts alike.

First, we are still a place where the American dream is alive and well. A land where, if your handshake is your bond, you work hard and treat others with respect, you can create something extraordinary for your company, colleagues, and family.

Of course, we have farms, ranches, oil, energy, beaches, space centers, hills, big tech, and some of the world’s most respected entrepreneurial people and cities.

From fearless youngsters opening lemonade stands and selling girl scout cookies to the ranchers and producers that feed and clothe us, small business owners on the square to Forbes’ most successful entrepreneurs, you don’t have to throw a stone very far in Texas to see men and women willing to risk their hard-earned capital and life savings to build legendary companies.

We’ve had the good fortune of leaders like my friend and valued client, the longest standing Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, to protect our families and our business climate from those that would seek to do us harm.

Yes, we do things big. And while around the world, we may be teased, mocked, hated – we are always respected. People traveling to the US want to visit Texas – many still believe we wear hats and ride horses. Thankfully, in West Texas, some lucky Americans still do.

And though we are messy, imperfect people, on a good day, most of us stand for the flag, respect our elders, have faith, serve others, and support our men and women in uniform.

So while I could go on for days explaining the countless reasons why Texas is special, I’ll bid my fellow Texans Happy Birthday and close with this quote from Navy Seal Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell: “When you go overseas, people will ask, ‘are you an American?’ Most will say, ‘yes.’ A Texan will say, ‘no, I’m from Texas.'”

*sourced by Wikipedia.