In an emotional ceremony, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas recited prayers — in English, Spanish, Danish and German — to remember the fallen defenders of the Alamo, and to mark the end of their duty.

At 5 p.m. Friday, the DRT ended their custodianship of the Alamo on the hallowed grounds of the Shrine of Texas Liberty after caring for it for 110 years. They were ordered in March to turn over authority to the Texas General Land Office and Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

From now on, San Antonio and the state agency will direct the future of the Alamo.

Prayer played a major role in the Friday event, held in front of the Alamo as lines of tourists continued their march into the shrine as tears fell from the faces of DRT members. In one recitation, politicians were reminded that the Alamo “is sacred ground, not a pawn for political gain.”

As the ceremony closed, the DRT’s U.S. and Texas flags were lowered and presented to DRT President General Dr. Betty Joe Edwards of Harris County, and another Texas flag was raised up the pole.

Steve Linley, a member of a group of men in period dress, asked for a drum roll, and led the crowd in three cheers for the DRT, followed by bagpipes which played “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” Immediately following, the daughters sang the state song, “Texas, Our Texas,” many of them crying as they sang.

The event may have been bittersweet, but Edwards said there’s more work for the DRT ahead.

“We will concentrate on the rest of our role in Texas,” Edwards said. “We'll move and and continue our work.”

The DRT is expected to continue running a research center that will conduct some programs at the Alamo.

ezavala@express-news.net

Twitter: @elizabeth2863