Jerry McMahon lives in North Zulch and his Texas roots go all the way back to the 1800's.

He works at the Alamo at least once a month as a living historian, answering questions and teaching visitors the history of Texas. But this weekend will be extra special.

McMahon and Bryan Resident Rudy Cortez will serve on the honor guard as the Alamo welcomes back a letter tied to its incredible history.

"The famous letter, the victory or death letter, that William Barret Travis wrote at the beginning of the siege to try to stir the patriotism of the rest of the Texans and to bring in reinforcements," said McMahon.

What's truly incredible is this letter hasn't been back to the Alamo since the night it rode off with a courier on horseback to Washington-on-the-Brazos.

"The Travis letter has not been back to the Alamo in 177 years," said McMahon.

Under tight security the letter will return and be displayed in a custom made $20,000 case for safe keeping.

There it will sit for 13 days, the length of the siege on the Alamo, for visitors to get a first hand look at a piece of Texas history.

"It's a once in a lifetime situation. I don't believe this is going to be put out very much because it is deteriorating and it's very important to all Texans and to the rest of the world," said McMahon.

The William B. Travis letter will be delivered to the Alamo on Friday and News 3's Shane McAuliffe will be there to show us the special delivery Friday at 6 on News 3.

If you'd like to see the letter yourself, it will be on display starting on Saturday through March 7.