Annual Memorial Illumination at Resaca de la Palma Battlefield

Luminaria light up the night.

Erick R. Tripp

Date: November 7, 2012
Contact: Douglas Murphy, 956-541-2785 x330
Contact: Mark Spier, 956-541-2785 x222

On November 17, 2012, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park will once again light up the night during the 8^th Annual Memorial Illumination at the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield in Brownsville. The event features the lighting of 8,0000 luminaria, each to honor one of the U.S. or Mexican soldiers who fought in battles on the Rio Grande in 1846.

Activities will begin at 4:00 p.m. with living history programs. Interpreters in period U.S. and Mexican uniforms will demonstrate camp life, weapons, and drills of the U.S.-Mexican War era.

The memorial program commences at 5 p.m. with a short ceremony to remember the veterans of the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. The lighting of luminaria will follow at sunset, about 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to come and observe, but the lighting is intended to be a participatory event. Visitors over the age of 12 are encouraged to bring a grill lighter and assist with the lighting of the candles.

The event takes place at the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield, 1024 Paredes Line Road in Brownsville (north of the Price Road intersection). Resaca de la Palma was the site of the second major battle in the war between the United States and Mexico, on May 9, 1846, and part of a series of battles in the area.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park was established in 1992, to preserve and interpret the site of the first battle of the war between the United States and Mexico.

The annual Memorial Illumination is an opportunity to highlight the service of troops from both armies during the early battles of the U.S.-Mexican War. The event attempts to push beyond debates over a controversial war, to recognize individual soldiers and honor their service and sacrifices for their respective nations. The event is one of only a handful of programs nationwide to light up historic battlefields to honor those who served. This is the only program of its kind to honor veterans of the U.S.-Mexican War.

The event is free of charge. Lighting is dependent on favorable weather conditions.