Pops Younger hung up the hastily prepared conference call. The Texas Guard commander and Pops called Col. Davis in Laredo.
“We have assessed the situation, Colonel and, as much as we regret to tell you this, you need to stand down. You are outnumbered. Take all the communications equipment with you. Do not leave anything behind. We will allow them to take custody of the checkpoint for now.”
“With all due respect, sir,” Davis said emphatically, “we can hold them off. I do not want to surrender this post to federal agents.”
“Colonel, we understand. This is a direct order.”
“But, sir…
“Colonel, this is Younger with the Texas Rangers.”
“It’s an honor to talk to you, sir. I’m sure you understand my men don’t want to be the first Texas Guard to surrender to federal agents in this crisis.”
“Colonel, let me assure you, it’s temporary. If I have anything to do with this going forward, those bastards will be out of there in the next forty-eight hours.”
“Sir, can I promise my men that they can be part of the take-back of this facility?”
“Colonel, if we implement a plan to retake this, you will be part of it, I assure you.”
“Thank you, sir. I will give the orders.”
Col. Davis instructed his officers to remove all communications equipment, then walked out of his office to the counter where Carranza and his agents stood impatiently.
“Lieutenant, Austin has ordered us to vacate the premises for now. We will be gathering our things, so you need to allow us about ten minutes.”
“It’s lieutenant colonel, sir,” barked Carranza, noting the intentional faux pas by Davis.
“Pardon me,” Davis replied sarcastically.
“You don’t need ten minutes to vacate, sir; just walk on outta here. If it was up to me, every one of you would be arrested on federal charges of terrorism,” said Carranza.
Davis laughed sneeringly. “Terrorists? I wonder how many times you have let terrorists cross this border? Border patrol, my ass.”
Carranza’s face turned beet-red but, before he could say another word, Davis moved right across the counter from him. They were literally face to face with the small counter between them.
“If you want to have a firefight over allowing a few minutes for my men to gather their belongings and those that belong to the state of Texas, then so be it, lieutenant colonel!” said Davis, picking up a twelve-gauge short barrel riot shotgun.
A few seconds passed where neither officer said a thing, only stared at each other. Carranza sized up Davis’ intent as genuine and was the first to blink. The Border Patrol agent broke Davis’ stare and looked down at his watch.
“All right, sir, I’ll compromise. You have five minutes.”
The Border Patrol agents had already begun taking down the barricades and pylons at the mid-point of the International Bridge. Although the bridge was considered the main bridge to connect the two border towns, three other bridges that connected Nuevo Laredo with Laredo remained closed and under the control of the Texas Guard.
The Mexican federales had gathered on their side of the bridge. It was obvious that they had been tipped off to aid the Border Patrol in a showdown and would likely participate if a firefight broke out.
As the Texas Guard and sheriffs’ deputies filed out of the building, words were exchanged between them and the Border Patrol.
“If you people are Texans, you should be ashamed,” said a sheriff’s deputy from Frio County to the agents as he walked by them.
“And you folks are treasonous and should be hung,” replied one agent. “Your day of reckoning is coming.”
Davis was the last one to walk out. Before he crossed the doorway, he turned to Carranza, “Lieutenant, don’t get too comfortable here. We’ll be back.”
Chapter 35
“Pity the poor, wretched, timid soul, too faint hearted to resist his oppressors. He sings the songs of the damned, ‘I cannot resist, I have too much to lose, they might take my property or confiscate my earnings, what would my family do, how would they survive?’ He hides behind pretended family responsibility, failing to see that the most glorious legacy that we can bequeath to our posterity is liberty!”
~ W. Vaughn Ellsworth
American Author
IRS Protestor
Atty. Gen. Tibbs and DHS Director Sarah McDermott got the word that the Border Patrol had successfully taken the checkpoint at Laredo without a struggle. Within minutes, they were on the telephone to each other.
“Damn, Sarah. That was too easy. I’ll check with the president, but we should make plans to recover all Texas checkpoints on the Mexican border. Looks like they won’t put up a fight. This may be the first step in forcing them to normalize again.”
“Yes, that’s good news. We have some dedicated Border Patrol agents,” McDermott said. “I’m proud of them. Let’s get with the president as soon as possible to give him the good news in person!”
* * *
Less than twenty-four hours after Col. Davis surrendered the Laredo checkpoint, he received a coded message to report to the Texas DPS office in Laredo, along with units of the 1st Regiment of the Texas State Guard, known as the “Alamo Guard.”
Almost two hundred members of the Alamo Guard were assembled at dawn, standing at full attention and in combat gear. Col. Davis walked out of the building on to the huge asphalt area where the troops were assembled. He had just been conferring with state troopers and the local sheriff.
The troops continued to stand at attention, as it appeared Davis was going to address them. Instead, Davis looked up at the sky toward the north, taking down his Ray-Bans since the full sun wasn’t over the horizon.
Within seconds, two helicopters appeared, one with the unmistakable Texas state seal and Texas flag on the tail, indicating it was the governor’s chopper. Another chopper from the DPS flanked the governor’s helicopter just to the north. The choppers landed on the asphalt close enough that many of the troops had to cover their eyes from the dust and particles being stirred up by the large choppers’ blades.
Nobody exited the choppers for a few minutes. Most everyone expected to see the new governor step out. The blades and rotors slowed but had not quite stopped when the new commanding officer of the Texas State Guard stepped out.
The average Guardsman was ecstatic over the governor’s choice to replace Gen. Barnes, who had been murdered at the Swingin’ T. They knew their new commander was likely on the choppers.
Brig. Gen. Henry Sterling had barely touched the asphalt before guardsmen around the chopper started snapping off salutes. The six-foot four-inch tall commanding officer was a no-nonsense Marine, a Vietnam War veteran who had commanded patrol boats up the Nung River deep into North Vietnamese territory for years during the Vietnam War. Many believed that Sterling’s experiences were used as the inspiration to fashion several of the characters in the dark war-time movie, Apocalypse Now.
Sterling was a crusty, tough son of a gun. His penchant for political incorrectness ended his career in the Marines, but Gov. Cooper had respected him and the new governor trusted him, realizing he might need Sterling’s experience in dealing with the feds if the situation in Laredo came to that. Many in the Guard were anxious to see Brig. Gen. Sterling in the flesh. They knew that, if Sterling was making an appearance to directly address the Alamo Guard regiment, something big was up.
The next foot that came down off the chopper was clad in black alligator cowboy boots. A tall, lanky figure appeared, wearing a Stetson. There was no mistaking who this was. The assembled troops now had a pretty good idea of what their assignment was going to be and were already stoked. The sight of Brig. Gen. Sterling and Pops Younger only got them more hyped.
Younger stepped away from the chopper right behind Brig. Gen. Sterling, along with junior officers from the Texas Guard and four other Texas Rangers, heading toward the podium sitting on the asphalt in front of the troops. The energy a
nd buzz on the asphalt was palpable. This was Texas royalty, and the men realized the significance of the moment.
Several officers addressed the Alamo Guard first. Then Pops Younger took the podium.
“I’m honored to be among true Texas heroes. I look forward to the success of this operation. God Bless Texas!” said Pops.
Pops was always short, direct and to the point. The excitement of the moment finally overtook the Guard. As Pops stepped off the podium, it only took one yell from the troops for them all to break into applause and yells of approval. Once the troops settled down, Brig. Gen. Sterling took the podium.
“Lone Star warriors, it’s a glorious day today to be in your presence. I’ll make this quick. We have an urgent operation before us. Your officers will be getting with each unit to explain your specific role in this operation. I am here to thank you in advance from the governor and the people of Texas. Godspeed. Dismissed!”
Chapter 36
“A majority of the people of the United States have lived all of their lives under emergency rule. For 40 years, freedoms and governmental procedures guaranteed by the Constitution have, in varying degrees, been abridged by laws brought into force by states of national emergency.... from, at least, the Civil War in important ways shaped the present phenomenon of a permanent state of national emergency.”
~ U.S. Senate Report on
Presidential Executive Orders
93rd Congress (1973-1975)
Lt. Col. Carranza received the call at 11:20 a.m. that federal government-friendly sources indicated two Apaches and one Blackhawk chopper had lifted off at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and were following a southerly route parallel to I-35 toward Laredo. He calculated they could be hovering over the checkpoint within twenty-five minutes.
Carranza ordered his Border Patrol agents to take up pre-determined defensive positions. After notifying Washington that a conflict was imminent, he called the Mexican federales across the bridge to alert them. Both Carranza and the Mexicans closed the bridge, turning people away who had been streaming in from Nuevo Laredo since it opened. Carranza had instructed his agents to stand down at the border checkpoint. Since the border had been closed for weeks under the orders of DHS, the checkpoint was nothing more than an observation station. The agents hadn’t bothered to verify the immigration status of a single entry since they took over the checkpoint from the Texans.
Advance notification of the border opening was spread by the administration to the Mexican embassy, which broadcast it to officials in Nuevo Laredo. Within an hour of the checkpoint takeover, there were hundreds of people lined up on the Mexican side waiting to file through the turnstiles at the Mexican checkpoint, cross the International Bridge and enter the United States. The opportunity to draw federal benefits and get in on the seemingly endless path to citizenship was a strong draw for thousands of Mexican nationals.
It wasn’t lost on any Mexican in line that the U.S. Border Patrol was not checking status. Everyone who approached was let in, and the lines had gotten longer by the hour, easily reaching over a thousand in line. A steady stream of Mexican nationals were entering Texas unencumbered by their immigration status, courtesy of the United States government.
The federal government under several administrations kept at least a modicum of perception that border security was important, yet this administration made no attempt to hide its open border policy. This was especially true now that Texas was rebelling. The administration had an obvious policy to flood Texas with future Democratic voters sympathetic to the administration that was providing handouts to any illegal alien at unprecedented levels.
The Alamo Guard began surrounding the checkpoint while keeping their distance. After Carranza notified Washington, two U.S. carriers in the Gulf were put on high alert and F-15s were moved to launch-ready status on their decks. Fearing for the safety of the Mexicans crossing the bridge, the Mexican federales stopped the line on their side of the bridge, not allowing any further crossings. Within minutes, units of the Ejército Mexicano (Mexican Army) numbering over two hundred troops were readied just short of the Mexican checkpoint, including multiple armored personnel carriers mounted with 50-caliber machine guns.
The International Bridge spanned more than two hundred-fifty yards from checkpoint to checkpoint, with a center line drawn over the half-way point of the Rio Grande River. Painted on each side of the line was “Mexico” or “USA.” Within a few minutes, the crowd on the bridge dissipated as they made their way through the U.S. checkpoint.
Carranza was on the phone with Director McDermott to get clarification for any possible engagement with the Texas Guard if they advanced on the checkpoint.
“Lieutenant colonel, the closest air support right now is in the Gulf of Mexico, likely thirty to forty minutes away. I am told by the Joint Chiefs that these resources are sitting on standby,” said McDermott.
“Director, we have not ascertained their troop strength, but it wouldn’t take much for them to outnumber us. I need orders, ma’am, if we are to engage.”
“Lt. Col. Carranza, we are trying to reach the president and will call you right back,” replied McDermott to a frustrated Carranza.
Carranza, contemplating the situation, was agitated that Washington didn’t have an immediate back-up plan or immediate air support. How was he going to hold a checkpoint like this with a couple of dozen Border Patrol agents against militarily trained and outfitted Texas Guard troops? And what weapons did they possess?
While he was looking through binoculars at the growing number of Texas Guard troops within several hundred yards of the checkpoint in downtown Laredo, Carranza’s phone rang. He fully expected it to be McDermott; however, he was surprised to get a call back so quickly.
“Lt. Col. Carranza, this is Atty. Gen. Jamail Tibbs.”
Somewhat shocked, Carranza replied, “Yes, sir!”
“Under direct orders from the president, you are not to give up that checkpoint to the Texans! Do you understand me, Lt. Col. Carranza?”
Even Border Patrol agents are taught to follow the chain of command, and the attorney general wasn’t in that command structure.
“Sir, I am waiting for orders from Director McDermott. She is in contact with the White House, or at least attempting to get orders.”
“I’m telling you this is a direct order!”
Not sure what to call Tibbs, Carranza answered, “Sir, no disrespect, but I’m a career federal agent and my orders must come through my command.”
Frustrated, Tibbs slammed the phone down on Carranza to call McDermott. Carranza continued to have no clear orders on how to proceed. Sensing he was running out of time, he instructed his men not to fire unless fired upon. His next call was to his Mexican counterpart on the other side of the bridge to keep him apprised of the situation.
Within minutes, the Texas Guard was upon the checkpoint, controlling every high point near the bridge and even on the roof of the customs building where Carranza’s Border Patrol agents were stationed.
As the Mexicans observed the move on the U.S. Customs office checkpoint, the Mexican commandant ordered his troops to prepare to advance on the bridge to support the federal agents.
Carranza picked up his ringing phone, fully expecting it to be Washington with orders.
“Lt. Col. Carranza here.”
“Sir, nice to speak to you again,” said Col. Davis sarcastically.
Carranza was silent for a few moments.
“Sir, Texas would like to have its checkpoint back.”
“Texas’ checkpoint? Have you forgotten this is federal property?” asked Carranza indignantly.
“If it’s on Texas soil, it belongs to Texas. My orders are to take this checkpoint by any means necessary. We will provide the same opportunity you provided my boys. If you do not want their blood on your hands, you are to vacate the premises within five minutes,” said Davis.
“Colonel, I cannot agree until I receive my orders from Washington,” replie
d Carranza.
Davis sensed weakness in Carranza’s voice.
“Well, sir, my orders are to take this facility in five minutes. You will decide in the next five minutes if any of your men are to die.”
“But…” started Carranza before being interrupted by Davis.
“When you vacate the facility, your people are to cross the bridge into Mexico. You and your men will not be permitted back into Texas. If we have to take the facility by force and, in the unlikely scenario that any of your men survive, they will be taken prisoner and indicted for crimes against Texas.”
“You’re a real piece of work, Davis!” Carranza responded.
“Carranza, you can jaw on the phone for the next five minutes, but I’m telling you right now that your men are going to die while you debate the issue.”
Davis hung up the phone and radioed Brig. Gen Sterling and received the okay to advance on the facility by any means necessary. Sterling was hovering in his chopper three miles north of downtown Laredo monitoring the situation. The Texas Apaches were almost on the scene as the Blackhawk made a stop at the DPS facility just north of Laredo where Sterling and Pops Younger originally landed to muster the Alamo Guard.
Davis was just about to issue the order to advance when one set of double doors of the checkpoint facility opened onto the walking lane of the bridge. It appeared the Border Patrol agents were gathering to make the walk across the bridge over the Rio Grande.
Seeing the U.S. Border Patrol agents about to abandon the facility, the Mexican commandant ordered his troops to advance across the bridge, including the personnel carriers.
“Sir, the Mexicans are advancing on the bridge!” radioed Davis to Sterling.
“Pilot, let’s go!” barked Sterling as he motioned to the bridge. “Shep, get your folks into the facility. I don’t know what their intent is, but they aren’t going to reinforce those agents or take the facility before we do!”
A State of Treason Page 24