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I don’t know about the younger generation, but all of us Baby Boomers grew up singing about Davy Crockett — King of the Wild Frontier. We knew he had a coonskin cap, was born on a mountaintop in Tennessee and killed a b’ar when he was only three.

But to North Pole resident Sandra Giddings, Davy Crockett is something more. The man of legend, who defended the Alamo and is known as the Spirit of the American Frontier, is her great-great-great-grandfather.

Davy Crockett, who was a crack shot, brave warrior, backwoods statesman and would become an American hero, was born in 1786 in a small cabin near Limestone, Tenn. He had less than six months of formal education, was a commander in the Indian Wars and served in the Tennessee Legislature for two terms, from 1821 to 1824. He also served three terms in the U.S. Congress.

Sandra Crockett Giddings grew up knowing she had a famous relative in Davy Crockett, but it wasn’t until she started attending Alamo ceremonies in Texas she realized that because of him she’s a minor celebrity herself.

In March, she flew to San Antonio and met an aunt and distant cousins and joined the activities commemorating the fall of the Alamo. She stayed, of course, at the Crockett Hotel, which is located across the street from the Alamo. One highlight of the trip, she said, was meeting up with other Crockett descendents and people she had met from past visits. Direct male lineage is proved by DNA. Her father and brother both bear the name David Crockett.

“It’s surprising how far people come to participate: New York, Florida, Alaska, California, Canada, England and many other places I’ve forgotten, and, of course, Texas had a good representation,” she said.

While still a youngster, Davy spent four days in school and then had a fight with another student. To escape a licking from his dad, he set off on his own and got a job driving cattle to Virginia. At age 16, after doing a variety of jobs in Virginia for more than two years, he returned home and worked off debts owed by his father. During this time, he became a famous marksman, competing in local shooting contests. It wasn’t uncommon for him to pay a quarter for a single shot and win a quarter of beef.

In 1806, at age 20, Crockett married Mary Polly Finley. They had two children. Upon her death, he married Elizabeth Patton, and they had three children, including the son who would be Sandra Giddings’ great-great-grandfather.

The first segment of the festivities Sandra Giddings and her entourage attended was the “Dawn at the Alamo” Commemorative Ceremony. Being a direct descendant, she was one of 13 chosen to be a candle holder to commemorate the 13 days of the siege. Afterward, she and her cousin Carolyn ceremoniously placed a bouquet of yellow roses alongside the Alamo’s memorial plaque.

After he was defeated in his quest for a third tour in Congress, Davy Crockett decided to explore Texas and soon became involved in the fight for independence. Crockett saw the future of an independent Texas as his future. Besides, he loved a good fight. He got one.

In March 1836, Davy Crockett was massacred at the Alamo, along with 186 others. Only the women and children survived to tell the tale.

For 13 days, 187 men withstood Santa Ana and the Mexican army. Alongside the brave Americans on the ground lay more than 2,000 Mexicans who died at their hands. Crockett was 49.

Later that day, Giddings and the others joined the Daughters of the Republic of Texas inside the Alamo for their annual memorial service for the Heroes of the Alamo. The ceremony is closed to the public.

“Lineage has its benefits,” she said, laughing. The name Crockett, especially in Texas and Tennessee, also carries prestige. She signed autographs and famous song writer/singer Phil Collins asked to be photographed with her.

The events continued another two days and included joining the Alamo Society in visiting the San Fernando Cathedral, which houses a marble sarcophagus that contains the remains of the defenders of the Alamo.  This year marked the 20th anniversary of the filming of “Alamo: The Price of Freedom,” Giddings said, adding that after a showing of the movie, many of the original cast and crew were on hand to talk about the filming, including the fellow who played the role of Davy Crockett.

His tombstone reads: “Davy Crockett, Pioneer, Patriot, Soldier, Trapper, Explorer, State Legislator, Congressman. Martyred at the Alamo. 1786 –1836.” His first rifle, “Betsy,” was presented by the Whigs in Philadelphia in 1834 and is on display in Nashville. His tomahawk is in the Smithsonian. And his motto: “Be always sure you are right and then go ahead” belongs to posterity.

Today, Sandra Giddings has several reprints of Davy Crockett’s biography and a whole host of tales, truths and information on her famous relative who is so engraved in American history.

Oh, and about that bear? Giddings said Davy Crockett didn’t kill a bear when he was three. But he did kill 103 bruins in one year.

Walk on the Wild Side tonight

Remember, the Rotary’s Walk on the Wild Side halibut feed and silent auction, with about 70 gift baskets, is tonight from 5-8 at the Refinery Lounge. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward a basketball court at Jimmy O’Connor Park.

Remembering June Mullins

Many longtime residents will remember June Mullins, who lived in North Pole for years with her husband, Weldon, and children Sharon and David. I received word the other day that June passed away in California April 10 from gall bladder and lung problems.

The Mullinses owned North Pole Video — the first place in North Pole to buy the newfangled things in the 1980s.

June Mullins was a survivor and had overcome tremendous odds to become successful.

God played the primary role in releasing her from addictions and all sorts of tribulations. A book on her fascinating story was published years ago and she recently published a biography.

While I could relate some of her story here — with details that would be a bit shocking, I won’t. Instead I’ll tell you what she made of her life. She not only went on to get a bachelor’s degree but eventually obtained a doctorate. For years she served as a counselor.

Bill Ferguson, a friend in North Pole, remembered June fondly as the neighbor who was a good friend of his wife, Vonnie. “June was a fighter and determined to succeed. She made an eternal difference in many lives, probably many we will never know or hear about. Her true desire was to help the down and out,” he remembered.

Incredibly, June managed to help others even while lying in her hospital bed in a near-coma.

Hospital personnel who got to know her learned of her book and the family passed out 68 of them.

The family can be contacted at 2236 E. College Visalia, CA 93292. Phone: (559)622-9388.

 And finally ...

“Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know why I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way and some of the roads weren’t paved.”

— Will Rogers