October 28, 2000, Seguin Central Park:
As the black veil dropped, a gasp of awe resounded throughout the estimated 2000 plus spectators and special guest. They rose to their feet in cheers and applause over the magnificent statue of Col. Juan N. Seguin.

The creation by young sculptor, Erik Christianson, from Bulverde Texas had finally arrived. Curiosity and anticipation had been mounting for weeks. The delivery date of the statue had been kept secret, but word quickly spread that the truck and trailer carrying the statue had been spotted entering the city the morning of Thursday October 26th. The driver quickly made his way into Seguin and Central Park.

Crowds began to gather and became first hand witnesses and spectators to the delivery and installation of the first ever statue of the city's name sake. The statue was hoisted high up in the air, over the trees and than gently placed atop the base. Once the statue was installed upon the beautiful granite base, it was kept covered with army camouflage which only heighten natural curiosity, the excitement and of course the anticipation. Scores of people were seen walking around the camouflaged statue. Some were heard to murmur that they could hardly wait for the unveiling. And some were heard to say that the camouflaged statue reminded them of the green swamp thing. Others quietly looked as if to see through the covering and visualize the man, the hero, the Texan, mounted on his horse with sword in hand and ready to defend Texas at all cost.

The Seguin Police Department Officers, voluteered their personal time to guard the statue once it was installed on Thursday October 26 through the unveiling Saturday. The vigil was not because of possible vandals but to keep the press and the numerous curiosity seekers at bay until the unveiling.

Early Saturday morning an elegant black veil replaced the army camouflage. At no time before the formal unveiling was the masterpiece to be seen. The excitement continued to mount as if the covered statue was a real surprise, wrapped in a box, under the Christmas tree, just waiting to be opened. Once unveiled on Saturday, people kept pouring into the park through out the day and late evening to view the perfectly sculptured statue and marvel at the detailed craftsmanship lovingly executed by a young master.

Albert Seguin Gonzales a resident of Galveston County and descendant of Seguin organized the program for the unveiling. The program was filled with a variety of speakers and performers. From the very beginning of the project a promise had been made that the unveiling would take place exactly at noon, and so it was. There was a little bit of Texas for everyone in the perfectly executed program.

In attendance was Mrs. Alvarado of Grapevine. The day before the unveiling on October 27th, Juan Seguin's birthday, she was a special guest at a private graveside ceremony held by the family and attended by close friends. She gave an emotional and moving account of her favorite hero. Mrs. Alvarado has been recognized by the Seguin and related families as a "Champion" of Col. Seguin. For a number of years she had diligently worked to have a school in Arlington named for her favorite Texas Hero. After thirteen years her persistence and diligence paid off. In 2002 a high school bearing the name of her hero, Juan N. Seguin, will be dedicated in Arlington.

Juan Seguin, unlike our other cherished and honored heroes, Sam Houston, Austin, Bowie, Travis, or Crockett; was a native born Texan. The Seguin family traveled from Gevauden France to New Spain and then to the Texas territory in the 1700's, Juan Seguin was a third generation Texan at the time of the Texas revolution and was the first to sound the alarm of pending danger to Texas.

Colonel Juan N. Seguin fought for his family, home and friends; was the only defender of the Alamo who fought along side Bowie, Crockett and Travis at the Alamo and lived to fight along side Sam Houston, Sidney Sherman and others at the battle of San Jacinto. Seguin had left the Alamo on orders of Col. Travis on a suicide mission in an attempt to convince Col. Fannin at Goliad to send reinforcements to the beleaguered Alamo defenders.

It was Juan Seguin who in two separate ceremonies gave the defenders of the Alamo a heroes military burial on the Alamo grounds and a Christian burial inside the San Fernando Cathedral where the sarcophagus with the remains rest today. Seguin would go on to serve in the second, third, and forth congresses of the Republic of Texas and became mayor of San Antonio. Early on in his career he would procure property, an island, for Michele Menard and his business associates that would later become the city of Galveston. These are but a few of his contributions and accomplishments.

Albert is the third great grandson of the Col. Juan N. Seguin. Over the last two and a half years, he has worked tirelessly, driving back and forth between Texas City and Seguin Texas to attend committee meetings, fund raising events and working closely with the other project directors, the Mayor and the City Council in Seguin. He has served as a Director, Program Chairman, Family Historian, Fund Drive Volunteer and as Script Assistant. He is very modest about his contributions and gives credit to everyone that worked as a team to make the dream a reality. Albert states that he is especially thankful to Mr. John Taylor of McQueeny for his true dedication to this project which has been Mr. Taylor's dream for 25 years. And to Mr. Sam Flores for sharing the same dream and organizing the committee, and to the other board members for their participation, inspiration and ideas which made the project a success.

On October 28th, at 12 o'clock noon, as promised, the statue was unveiled with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a hero of this magnitude, In attendance was the President General of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Mrs. Helen Burleson Kelso of Dallas and the President General of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Sir Night Charles Peter Briggs III, of Bryan Texas.

Other notable and honored guest included Senator Judith Zaffirini of El Paso who sponsored the Texas State Senate Proclamation, noted authors and historians who were the designated Co-Keynote speakers; Dr. J. Frank de la Teja of San Marcos and Dr. Jack Ramsay of Denton Texas. Among the other participants was the past president of the Descendants of San Jacinto, Rev. Ron Pogue of Galveston who blessed the statue ceremoniously after the exciting unveiling.

Mayor Mark Stautzenberger of Seguin gave a rousing and warm welcome to all present. Cousins James William Seguin and Albert Seguin Gonzales served as Co-Masters of Ceremony. Masters John Taylor and Sam Flores were the official members of the committee to unveil the statue. On behalf of the project committee, Albert made the official presentation of the statue to the Mayor, the citizens of Seguin and to Texas.

Mrs. Vickie de la Rosa introduced the statue project board members. She began by first introducing Sam Flores, followed by, John Taylor, Jeep Kiel, Ed Gotthardt, Virginia Woods, Gene Moreno, Juries Seguin and Albert Seguin Gonzales.

One of the many high lights of the event was when Sir Knight Sam Houston IV, of Katy Texas crossed the stage and shook hands with Juan N. Seguin of Austin, another descendant of this larger than life hero. Proclamations from Governor Bush, the Texas State Senate, and the City of Seguin were read.

The event included a 21-gun salute by the Alamo Silver Wings Air Borne Association, truly a precision and dashing group of dedicated American soldiers.
A musket Volley by the Alamo Legacy and Mission Association, and a Salute, by the New Army of the Republic of Texas from the Sam Houston Museum in Huntsville Texas was a stunning example of Texas History; both of these organizations served as "The Honor Guard" for the statue from early Saturday morning until the unveiling.
The Wm. Barret Travis chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas presented the six flags of Texas. The San Antonio Bag Pipes and Drums performed "Amazing Grace" in honor of the Texas Hero.

(The community of Walnut Springs in 1839 voted to changed its name to Seguin in honor of this Texas born hero who sacrificed much for the cause of Texas independence.) Ms. Juries Seguin of San Antonio read a letter of gratitude, penned by Albert Seguin Gonzales, to the descendants of the men and women who founded Seguin. ….
"I come before you this day on behalf of the Seguin and related families to re-affirm that gratitude Juan Seguin carried with him all the days of his life and to his death". It was a heartfelt reading that came directly from her heart as she fought back tears of great emotional pride.

Mrs. Dottsy Dwyer of Seguin and Mrs. Darlene Seguin Lehman of San Antonio sang original compositions written for this special event. Mrs. Alicia Burger of the Canary Islanders Descendants Association and the Mariachi Michoacan added colorful customs and music to the event. Ballet Folklorico De la Rosa/Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin provided the energetic and precison dancers while the Briesemeister Middle School SISD provided spirited and patriotic music.

During the dedication, Albert Seguin said "This statue is the first of its kind and will stand as a testament to the valor, courage, and sacrifices endured by this native born Texan, so that Texas could be free and independent". Albert further stated, "This statue not only honors the Colonel, but it is also representative of all the unsung heroes, men and women alike, who suffered through such a turbulent and dangerous time in the rapidly evolving Texas".