An Afternoon with Popsicle Joe

by Wade Dillon

Actor Joe Perez stops by the plaza to Remember the Alamo!

Late last year, I was honored to have been asked by Joan Headley to help her with her annual Alamo Party, which was held on Friday, March 6th. The theme for this year’s party was to celebrate the 5th year anniversary of the release of the John Lee Hancock’s Alamo film. So, I found it fit to invite some of the cast and crew from the movie to attend.

As I gathered autographs from the cast and crew to serve as door prizes for the party, I stayed in touch by phone with actor Joe Perez, who portrayed Colonel Juan Morales. Despite being busy searching the market for a new home and heading to rehearsals, Joe had every intention to attend.

On March 7th, Joe walked to his vehicle to type in Joan Headley’s address into his GPS system when he realized…the party was the previous evening. Having felt terrible about the entire ordeal, Joe called me up and we arranged to meet on Alamo Plaza the very next day on March 8th.

I spent most of the morning and early afternoon of March 8th relaxing in SALHA’s period camp, in period clothing, recovering from a terrible fever that had struck me at the beginning of the trip. As the temperature downtown struck 80 degrees, I unbuttoned by wool waistcoat as I spoke with Mark Lemon’s friend, John, who had accompanied the author/artist from Georgia. As I sat on the limestone perch relaxing, a man in shades approached us.

“Do any of you know Wade Dillon,” he asked.

Immediately, I stuck out my hand and introduced myself. Instead, we hugged as if we were old friends and I went about telling Joe about the scheduled events of the day.

With great enthusiasm, Joe began snapping photos; taking in the scenery and the excitement that had filled the plaza. After talking about his trip down from Austin, I introduced Joe to others who had been in the 2004 Alamo film and many of the reenactors that I was participating with.

After taking several photos, I walked Joe over to the Alamo where I pointed out interesting architectural tidbits that had been shared with me by Mark Lemon and Craig Covner during previous visits to the shrine. As columns of tourists entered the Alamo, I showed Joe the bullet splashes, various carvings on the church, and the royal seal on the keystone of the Alamo’s archway. He listened enthusiastically with open ears!

Eventually, It came time for the reenactments to begin as Joe stood on the curb to view the action without any blindspots. There were a few moments when I’d turn towards him to see a huge smile on his face, enjoying it all!

After the reenactment ended, Joe and I continued to discuss various topics of the Alamo, including his role in the film, and I continued to introduce him to friends. Several people shared their thoughts with me, claiming that Joe’s passion for the subject was apparent and that his excitement and enthusiasm was contagious. I couldn’t agree more.

As it became late afternoon, we said our goodbyes with plans to get together again, soon. I assured him that we’d get a drink or two or ten when I’d come back to Texas after my twenty first birthday this September.

While still under construction, you may visit Joe Perez’s official website here and read my interview with him here.