Rendezvous with History
The Aztec Club's Sesquicentennial Tour

Sesquicentennial
Wreath Laying

Monumento de los Niños Héroes
Chapultepec Park
Mexico City, Mexico
October 8, 1997

Our mission this day was one of peace and harmony. We came to honor the bravery of all who fought in the war -- both the victors and the vanquished. We came to celebrate 150 years of peace and over the next week honored the bravery of the valiant defenders of Chapultepec, our own forefathers and their comrades in arms, and the treaty signed in 1848.

It is said that six military cadets ages 14-20, Los Niños Héroes, fought to their deaths against the invading United States Marine Corps. Legend has it that one of them, Juan Escutia, wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped to his death rather than be captured, though today not all historians agree this actually occurred. Nevertheless, the cadets are today remembered as Mexico's Niños Héroes -- the "Child Heroes" or "Heroic Cadets", and are honored with an impressive white marble monument at the entrance to the 550-acre Chapultepec Park.

Monumento de los Niños Héroes, below Chapultepec Castle

Consisting of a semi-circle of six freestanding columns at the entrance to Mexico City's verdant jewel, Chapultepec (Aztec for "grasshopper hill") Park, each pillar is said to represent one of the heroic cadets.

Assembling at the Bélen Gate, our contingent walked down the long approach to the monument, contemplating those who had been before us.

The Bélen Gate

The Bélen Gate

The great distance to the pillars made them appear small, but as we approached it soon became apparent how monolithic they truly are.

Monumento de los Niños Héroes
as seen at a distance from the Bélen Gate

Approaching the interior gate of Monumento de los Niños Héroes

At the foot of Monumento de los Niños Héroes

At the Monumento de los Niños Héroes we presented a wreath and stood in silence as a tribute to the cadets who valiantly defended the Castle. On this day the Cadet Guard, provided by the Mexican government, participated in our ceremony.

News reporters and television cameras awaited our arrival, as did representatives of the Mexican government. Following a prayer and address by the Aztec Club's President, members and guests placed a magnificent wreath at the foot of the monument.

The Aztec Club contingent assembling before Monumento de los Niños Héroes

The Cadet Honor Guard entered accompanied by a marching band. It was a heartfelt experience for all in attendance.

Cadet Honor Guard entering Monumento de los Niños Héroes

The Mexican Government provided its Cadet Honor Guard for the ceremony.

Prayer Delivered by
John Hawkins Napier, III

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men of our two nations who in their day of decision gave their all for their countries. Enable those who revere their memories to stand reconciled before you. May the souls of these heroes departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

As the voice of the Club's President was broadcast all over the park via its sound system one could not help but wonder the reaction our visit would invoke. Local reporters and television cameras, and reporters representing international outlets such as the Associated Press and Reuters were present to record this historic day.

Address Given by Aztec Club President
Richard Hoag Breithaupt, Jr.
at Monumento de los Niños Héroes
Chapultepec Park
October 8, 1997

Bienvenidos todos ustedes.
It is with profound feelings for the events which we are about to commemorate that the Aztec Club, composed of the descendants of the Officers Corps of the American armies, assemble here this week.
One hundred fifty years have passed since the war between our two nations. We believe it fitting to render the most respectful and heartfelt honor to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought to defend the Mexican nation. We especially wish to honor those who gave their lives at this place in a display of un-excelled bravery.

It is our fervent hope that our visit this week will help foster friendship and promote greater understanding between our two countries. In the many years that have since passed, the wisdom in the remarks of Manuel de la Peña, President of Mexico, as he signed the peace treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, has become a reality:
"I desire nothing more ardently than our treaty may prove the immutable basis of that constant harmony and good understanding that should prevail between the two republics."
We hope in some small way to be an emissary, educating our families, friends, neighbors, and our nation, about the many important things that should unite us, so that we may enter the next millennium stronger, closer, and more prosperous.
With differing cultures and different languages, as between all nations, disputes and difficulties can be expected to arise. Nevertheless, intervening years have shown that the Republic of Mexico and the United States of America can resolve these problems with dignity and fairness to all.
May it always be so.

Richard Hoag Breithaupt, Jr., Aztec Club President
addressing those assembled and the public at Monumento de los Niños Héroes

With the assistance of Mexican goverment officials,
the Aztec Club's commemorative wreath is placed

Members of the Aztec Club of 1847 standing before the monument
honoring the sacrafices both nations made during the war

The Aztec Club's wreath
honoring the sacrifices made by Mexico's army

At the conclusion of the ceremony, an unscripted moment occurred when representatives of the Mexican government asked that the Aztec Club's President sign its "Book of Honor", and add any remarks he wished to a page dedicated to this important visit. The leather-bound folio-sized book was brought out by an honor guard and laid upon a red velvet pillow finely finished in gold lace. The moment caught the hushed audience by surprise, and those assembled realized the feelings of respect and honor were shared by both of our nations.

Richard Hoag Breithaupt, Jr.,
Aztec Club President,
Inscribes a Message and
signs Mexico's Book of Honor

Frederick Talley Drum Hunt, the oldest member attending.
A retired foreign service officer, he also participated
in the Aztec Club's visit to Mexico City in 1972.

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