Every year, in the fall Aggies built Bonfire. It was a time for camaraderie, team work, spirit, friendship, unity and so much more. On November 18, 1999 at 2:42 am everything changed. The stack collapsed. I will never forget how I found out. Kyle had left for work that morning and heard about it on the radio. Since no one really used cell phones then like they do now, he came back home, woke me up and told me Bonfire fell. In my sleepy state, I mumbled "well they will just rebuild it like they did when it fell when you were in school". He said "no, this is different. There are people dead." At that moment I was wide awake and numb. I started panicking because I had friends that worked on Bonfire. Were they okay? My dad called that morning just to check in even though I did not work on Bonfire...he just wanted to make sure. That day and the days after are still a blur, yet so many images are permanently stuck in my mind. I spent that day and several others just going out to stack to pray and grieve like every other Aggie...even if we didn't personally know any of the injured or killed. Several of our close friends was roommates or a close friend to one of the 12.
12 Aggies. I know I have mentioned the 12th Man. How eerie it was to have lost 12 of our Aggie family members.
Every year in October I still look for logs to arrive on campus for Bonfire and I have a sobering moment knowing that this will never happen again. This is one of those events that I get a little preoccupied and sad around the middle of November every year. While I know it has now been 11 years since that horrific day, I still feel the loss of our Aggie brothers and sisters, a wonderful tradition and it painfully reminds me how this campus has become very different. It is amazing how the loss of something that brought so many different people to one cause can change the face of a campus. A&M has not been same since that day.
I am extremely lucky to have some great friends to share this time with each year. While each year we spend that time differently, we still take time to remember those that we lost and be thankful for so many things.
And I will leave you with this...
Bonfire '99
It was Judgment Day in Aggieland And tenseness filled the air; All knew there was a trip at hand, But not a soul knew where.
Assembled on the drill field Was the world-renowned Twelfth Man, The entire fighting Aggie team And the famous Aggie Band.
And out in front with Royal Guard The reviewing party stood; St. Peter and his angel staff Were choosing bad from good.
First he surveyed the Aggie team And in terms of an angel swore, "By Jove, I do believe I've seen This gallant group before.
I've seen them play since way back when, And they've always had the grit; I've seen 'em lose and I've seen 'em win But I've never seen 'em quit.
No need for us to tarry here Deciding upon their fates; Tis plain as the halo on my head That they've opened Heaven's gates."
And when the Twelfth Man heard this, They let out a mighty yell That echoed clear to Heaven And shook the gates of Hell.
"And what group is this upon the side," St. Peter asked his aide, "That swelled as if to burst with pride When we our judgment made?"
"Why, sir, that's the Cadet Corps That's known both far and wide For backing up their fighting team Whether they won lost or tied."
"Well, then," said St. Peter, "It's very plain to me That within the realms of Heaven They should spend eternity.
And have the Texas Aggie Band At once commence to play For their fates too we must decide Upon this crucial day."
And the drum major so hearing Slowly raised his hand And said, "Boys, let's play The Spirit For the last time in Aggieland."
And the band poured forth the anthem, In notes both bright and clear And ten thousand Aggie voices Sang the song they hold so dear.
And when the band had finished, St. Peter wiped his eyes And said, "It's not so hard to see They're meant for Paradise."
And the colonel of the Cadet Corps said As he stiffly took his stand, "It's just another Corps Trip, boys, We'll march in behind the band."
Then heaven's pearly portals opened.Hosts of Angels showed the wayFor that Fighting Texas Aggie group On that final Judgment Day.
When more Aggies came in view,Twelve dressed in Bonfire gear,Walking arm and arm, and singing Of the School they hold so dear.
Twelve Aggie voices said "Howdy" To the keepers of the Gate. "Working hard we just lost track of time, We hope we're not too late."
"It's the Fighting Aggie Bonfire Crew," St. Peter said, "Behold,They're ready to light up Heaven, With their courage and faith so bold."
I would often watch them buildingThat Stack so large and highAnd surely knew the time would come They would build it in the sky.
And so the twelve came through the Gates.St. Peter said, "Don't fear, You are just in time for Roll Call" One by one, they answered... "Here."
Until next time...Gig'em!
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