John Comstock
The remaining Bonfire Aggie in the hospital, John Comstock, who is in critical condition, has been in surgery all night. Shortly after the game
on Friday he went into surgery to have one of his legs removed from below the knee, last night he was in surgery to remove toxic tissue from his
stomach and back areas. He used 30 units of blood and he needs LOTS more.
Please send this to everyone, PLEASE DONATE BLOOD.
Lisa M. Ford
Staff Assistant
Athletic Business Office
Texas A&M University
(409) 845-8688
Other schools have
homecomings, but this past week at Aggieland has been about “Coming Home.”
This journey began in Spirit over a week ago, the moment each of us heard of the
Bonfire Tragedy. In the days that followed, untold numbers made that physical
pilgrimage to the “School we hold so dear.”
Prelude
This Thanksgiving, I shared a hurried Turkey meal at my brother’s house,
and then climbed into the car and headed to College Station alone. I hit highway
36 just outside of Temple around 3PM. I suddenly was alone no more. I became
part of a convoy of Aggies—headlights on and cars announcing 12th Man
membership, parent’s stickers, Aggie Band, Corps of Cadets from back windows.
I simply pulled into the line and traveled with the others—all the way to
Aggieland. Aggies were coming home.
A Temple Ag
(Janag) had donated twelve maroon candles. I had then made paper holders, each
with the name of an Aggie Angel and Bonfire 99 on them. My son and his Fish
Buddies accompanied me to the Vigil. Each of the boys wanted the candle of a
particular person—a friend from the dorm, a classmate and study partner,
someone they visited with on the way to classes. Others were gladly taken by
late arrivals as the official candles were depleted. The silence of the Bonfire
sight defies description. It is more than just an absence of sound. There is a
stillness and quiet and peace that touches the heart and the soul. Tears and
candlewax both fall in silence. Heads are bent in prayer and grief. Hymns are
whispered by some, respecting the silence, but filling the need for tribute.
Looking back toward the Flag Pole, the night is filled with candles, slowing
coming toward the site. The numbers are incredible. It is as if all the stars in
the universe have fallen on the Polo Field. Each person leaves when he or she is
ready.
My group
stays for nearly two hours, then we move in silence through the crowd. The
candlelight shows the faces of the larger Aggie family. Young Aggie parents
clutch the hands of small children. Students embrace for support. Grandparents
stay on the fringes—holding candles, but not up to the long walk to the
perimeter fence. From the fringe, I finally stop and look back. I am speechless.
From this higher view, I see an Aggie Ring I will never forget. There is a
circle of light completely around the entire site. Some have estimated one
hundred thousand people, and I would not be able to argue with that estimate. A
giant Aggie Ring of light!!!!
After a quick
stop at the quad for warmer clothing, the group headed over to Kyle Field for
the “modified” Yell Practice. The band uses drum cadence only all the way to
Kyle. This sound fills the quietness that has covered the campus. This Yell
Practice also proved to be an incredible experience. This was my first Yell
Practice in over twenty years. We are early enough to get in the first
deck—next to last row, but still it was great.
The crowd is
huge. Suddenly the crowd erupts into loud and emotional applause. The Pots from
bonfire lead the group into Kyle, including one young man still in a wheel
chair. The emotion and strength of these young men is inspirational. The band
and team will share the bleachers at the south end. There are other emotional
moments before Yell begins. The Pots go to the crowd and hug some
parents—theirs? someone else’s? I don’t know, but the moment was touching.
As we wait for Yell to begin, the band plays crowd favorites.
The Head Yell
Leader is to be commended. He handled this difficult night with incredible poise
and leadership. His opening speech sets the mood for the yell. Life is more
important than a game, but the game is an important part of life. Don’t ever
get the two confused. He expressed his appreciation for the support of the
University of Texas during this week. The crowd responded with a long, loud
ovation.
Then he added
that the only thing modified about Yell would be to yell louder and sing louder
and support the team louder than ever before. The students proceeded to do just
that.
While I know
that there was debate about the War Hymn in advance, the singing of the War Hymn
was so important that night. Yell avoided Beat the Hell and tu, but the War Hymn
was sung, and boy was it sung. The wheelchair bound Pot was helped to his feet
and supported by his buddies for the War Hymn and for the Spirit. Each time it
happened, I had a new tear to wipe away. As I stood in the middle of the
students, I could feel the “Fight” coming back into sad and weary hearts.
They arched their backs, threw back their heads, and belted out the War Hymn as
never before. As we sawed horns, the healing was beginning. Another point for
praise was the traditional “Last Corps Trip.” Never in the history of this
tradition has this recitation been this difficult. Never has it been better
done.
I hope they
publish the text of RC’s speech. He used the Gettysburg Address as the
framework, but it was an Aggie version—dedicated to the Spirit that can
Ne’er be told. He talked of integrity and unity. His voice became thick with
emotion at several points. There could be no doubt that this man was deeply
touched by the events of the last week . He promised to “Beat the HECK outta
texas.
The Jumbotron
did a tribute to Bonfire. Close up shots of Bonfires past were showed and the
words “A Spirit that can Ne’er be Told “ were on the screen. The lights
went out—and the remnants of Vigil candles were lit—and unplanned tribute.
Twelve Cannon blasts shattered the night air.
The team was
on field for a final Spirit of Aggieland. At this time they were supposed to
leave the field, but instead, a few stepped toward the Pots standing on the
sidelines. The rest quickly followed. There were hugs and handshakes. Our team
and our students were ONE. Another moment of tears. Coaches were finally able to
steer the team towards the exit, but a few were still hugging the Pot in the
wheelchair.
One of the
last to leave was Ja'Mar Toombs. It is obvious that he does not want to leave
yet. At about midfield he starts signaling to the crowd. First he gets a loud
roar. He signals again and again and finally TOOOOOOOOMBS rocks the stadium. He
leaves, and we have an upbeat, needed, and unplanned ending to the Yell.
My son and
buddies walk me to car, and I camp out for the night at the house of one of my
former students from Laredo—thank you Robert Cogburn.
Game Day
At 5:30AM the alarm went off, and for me, gameday began. I dressed slowly (I
was tired from the day before, guess it is old age) and headed for Kyle. The
morning was cold—finally some football weather. A heavy frost coated all my
car windows. As I drove down George Bush Drive, the sun was rising over Kyle
Field, and the lights were on. It was surreal and beautiful.
I had hoped
to be one of the first on Campus that morning, but many others had the same
ides. By 6:45 I was at G. Rollie in line to get memorial T-shirts for the
family. The line was already long—and they were not starting to sell until
7:30. Long lines were already at the ticket windows—most Cadets in
uniform—BQ’s—getting the stamp for the student tickets. There was already
a steady stream of people into the MSC to pay respects in the Flag Room. There
were four styles of shirts at this time—and all proceeds were to go to the
families of the victims. I was surprised and touched to see the end of my poem
in gray below the “Softly Call the Muster” quote on the maroon shirts. This
shirt features the memorial ribbon on the front.
The green
shirt had flaming Bonfire on the back and this quote:
“Memorializing the Fallen,
Interceding for the Injured,
Uniting the Aggie Spirit,
Fighting Texas Aggie Bonfire 1999
May it remain with us always.”
There was
also a gray shirt and a white shirt and each was different. As usual, with a
gathering of Aggies, time passed quickly and new friends were made. I bought 12
shirts—it seemed like the right number. Now I wish I had bought fifty. That
line stayed long, before and after the game.
After the
shirt line, I joined the rest of the family in front of Koldus to watch the
Fighting Texas Aggie Band and Corps of Cadets. Here the 12th Man people had
buttons stating “They Live One” and small maroon and white ribbons. I am
wearing my ribbons as I type. Even at 8AM the crowd was large. The mood was
determined—that is the only word I know for it. My Dad is fighting tears and
losing the battle frequently—at 88 he has learned that real men feel real
emotions and are brave enough to show them.
Horns proudly
wear their orange. Aggies equally proud in Maroon. That is the way it should be.
Many, many horns were wearing ribbons. Some were wearing Aggie caps with orange
shirts. All were polite, friendly, and respectful. I can’t speak for anyone
else, but I never saw a bad moment all day long. I helped a couple of older
Horns find the right gate to get into the stadium. Both sides wanted the
win—badly, but the cheap, ugly name calling was missing. I hope it stays
missing. My brother and sister in law had made a stop that the Bonfire sight,
like so many, that was a stop they had to make.
Then the
cannon sounded, and it was time to play a game. This time as the Corps marched
by, there were many signs of loss. Some outfits were black ribbons, some white.
One group had on green ribbons. The faces of the outfits who actually lost
people were set and brave and so, so sad. Faces were controlled, but the eyes
were stricken. That has to have been the most difficult March In in Corps of
Cadet history. All parts of the University had losses, but the most heavily hit
was the Corps—where army, air, and navy all had losses.
On the way to
Kyle, maroon balloons were handed to the crowd to be released as part of the
pregame. I was told to release after the Spirit, but with Aggie ;)stubbornness,
the balloons were released at the War Hymn. It was such a sight to see those
balloons turning the sky maroon.
The crowd
slowed getting into the stadium, and I missed the Cav. I am told Parson’s had
the riderless horse in tribute to the fallen. The pooper scoopers were at work
by the time I could get to my seat. The stands were over half full by the time
the Band started playing for the Corps to march in. The reviewing stand had the
Governor and President Bush. I decided I better stay in my seat. I usually go
stand right next to the reviewing stand and watch for a close up of my son, but
I don’t think the security people for the Bushes would have understood a
fanatical Aggie Mom.
Pregame was
certainly different. I personally wish they would scrap the canned Jumbotron
presentation, but I guess they have an advertising contract. This year the Ags
were silent during the Eyes of Texas as a sign of respect. I did not hear a
single ‘I’ve been working on the railroad” in our section. As a side note,
when we don’t sing along, they aren’t nearly as loud.
The actually
intro started with a lightening bolt and then showed the team on the walk over.
I liked that part. Toombs is thunder (the big rumble) and the Wrecking Crew was
lightening. The team knelt for a moment of silence and then the Aggie piloted
jets flew over with the missing man formation. Tears again. The team joins us
for the Spirit, and the only bad moment of the game happened when the Texas team
and flag run onto the field in the middle of the Spirit.
The game was
wonderful. The team played with a fire and comradeship that had been missing all
year. The Offense cheered the Crew. The Crew cheered for the O. Dat and some of
his buddies were on the sidelines. I saw him step over to offer congratulations
after a couple of big plays. Jason Glenn was constantly signally the crowed to
get into the game and we did. In our section 104—the entire section stood for
the whole game. We yelled so loudly the little girl in front of us had her ears
covered most of the game. I saw offensive linemen signally us to yell. Even with
mistakes in the first half, the feeling of oneness with the team was tangible.
Life gives us
a few special jewels of perfection. Halftime was such a moment. The University
of Texas Band’s tribute was fitting and touching. That arrangement of Amazing
Grace, the following arrangement of Taps, the joint flags and the lowering of
the Texas Flag, the Hats off, the silent exit, and the not playing of Texas
Fight will be engrained on my heart for life. I thank every member of the
Longhorn Band.
The Fighting
Texas Aggie Band’s tribute was also perfect. The first part of the drill was
an active salute. A special moment was the full halt before the four way march
through. Then our block T—in total silence—only a chorus of 12 Aggie Angels
in heaven were singing the War Hymn. I thought of the Block T in “We’ve
Never Been Licked.” Outsiders might not appreciate the significance of that
symbol, but for Aggies, it was a tearful, ultimate tribute. The silence was
total. Here the Longhorn team was included. Starting on the field, they quickly
realized what was happening, and joined in the absolute silence. The band
stopped playing, then there were drum taps only, then even that stopped and the
T slowly and silently filed back into the North End Zone—the band silenced
like the young lives silenced in the accident.
In the second
half the Horns had no chance. The fusion of the Team and 12th Man was complete.
The roar was deafening. And then the Horn qb’s would try to audible, the loud
would get louder. The Aggies were playing team defense—and being very
aggressive. Defensive hits were cheered like touchdowns. Texas has to use
timeouts and had some procedure and delay of game calls I contribute largely to
the noise. There was no tiredness on the Aggie bench.
Players were
jumping up and down and waving the crowd to new levels. Randy and the Offense
came through with the points to give us the lead. Once we had it, there was no
way the Horns would get it back. The entire student section was giving the WC
hand sign in unison. It was common on our side also. The Wrecking Crew chant was
also loud. “Wrecking Crew, Wrecking Crew, Wrecking Crew.” Shane’s punting
kept Texas pinned at its own goalline. We had two big defensive stops to protect
the lead. The emotion of the players after the fumble recovery had me crying
again. This time the tears were tears of joy.
Players
chased RC down the sidelines for a bath. The fish nabbed the yell leaders, and
the team, recruits, and hostesses finally stayed on Kyle Field to sing the War
Hymn with the rest of the team—that 12th Man in the stands. Dat and his
buddies sawed horns on the sidelines. As the team finally moved to the tunnel
exit, the fans in our area gave the defense a final Wrecking Crew chant.
As we made
our way back to the car, I was again impressed by the general good sportsmanship
from Ags and Horns alike. Texas, our state, looks good when we can do that. As I
walked by E.K.Gill on the way to the car, I saw some Aggie’s tribute to the
fallen—12 long stem red roses—each with the name of a lost Angel. E.K. was
holding some roses and the rest were at his feet. I can see him in heaven
telling the new 12 about the days of old Army and ironman football.
I then
encountered the band—sort of—on the way to Yell at the Y. The crowd was so
immense that many (not just parents and dates) were mixed in with band. The drum
cadence was all that was keeping them together.I saw the famous AgsWin car
plates with the names of the fallen on the back, held up above the band as they
marched by. The band kept coming by—and just when I would think they were
finished, here would come some more. The front and Tubas were probably three
city blocks apart. Suddenly the drums rolled and the band started playing.
Incredible. The front of the band was past Rudder Tower, well on the way to
Yell, and the Tubas were not yet out of the bottleneck at the side of G.Rollie,
and they played and played together. This seemed so symbolic of what had been
happening to the Aggie family this week. We were spread out over the world. We
are spread out over the years—octogenarians of the Sul Ross classes and
seventeen year old Fish. At times some members may lose sight of the long maroon
line, but we are held together by the Spirit just like the band was held
together by the drums.
Epilogue
After the game had to deal with car problems for son’s car, so stayed
around College Station for a few hours. Just before leaving at 5PM, Dad and I
made a final swing by Bonfire. There were several hundred (maybe even a couple
of thousand) people still there. The streets were full of cars parked, and both
nearby parking lots were partially filled. At 88 Dad was not up to walking
around—too emotional. But we drove into the parking lot and got a place right
by the fence. I made my second daylight visit. The tributes keep being added.
Even after the rains, the letters and notes, the outfit shirts, the bonfire
pots—the game tickets attached to notes—pay tribute to the lost, and to the
caliber of students at this university. Their faith will see them through this.
As we make a
final drive through campus, it is surprisingly filled with people—mainly
“Old Ags with family” walking from building to building—obviously
“Coming Home.” For many of us, our days at Texas A&M University were
crucial in shaping our adult lives. We become busy in those lives, and perhaps
forget that Aggieland not only is a place in College Station, it is also a
condition in the heart of all who have spent time here, as well as all who love
the school and its ideals. With the shattering news of November 18, we have all
“Come Home.” For many of us that visit home was physical—we walked through
the familiar streets of our youth—seeing today’s sights and hearing with our
hearts the times of our past. For those of us not so lucky, that visit home was
still one of the heart—finding the true meaning of “once and Aggie, always
an Aggie.” So to all who could not be there with us, I say “ Howdy, Welcome
Home.”
Gig'em
Angels--Coming Two by Two
Aggie
Angels--Dressed all in Maroon
Howdy,
Angels--God's Expecting you,
Welcome to
Heaven's Bonfire Crew.
By 3rd Generation Ag, a TexAgs.Com Contributor
I usually fire off a trick of the trade, hot comment or cynical review of
our trading industry in this space. Tonight I'd like to share a few
thoughts about an important group of folks in our energy industry. You
probably work for or know well a Texas Aggie. They are in some pain now as a
result of the tragic, deadly bonfire collapse in College Station, Texas. (If you
have been drilling for oil on Mars and have just returned home, check your local
news. Heck, if you were drilling for oil on Mars, you probably are an
Aggie since they are 'pert near the best in that bidness...)
First things first....from one friend to another....don't make jokes about this
incident with an Aggie. Or, for that matter, don't joke about it with
anyone who has respect for the Aggies as competitors in business, or neighbors,
or on the gridiron. What happened isn't funny and I'd like to give you
some insight as to why that is. To begin with, I am not an Aggie. But then
again, I am to some extent. You see, I am a Texas Longhorn. My Aggie
cousins call me a "Teasip". Aggies have special names for us because
they themselves are special. Being a Longhorn wouldn't be as much fun if
it wasn't for the Aggies. Being an Aggie wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't
for us Teasips. Hell, we're even mentioned in their fightsong.
("Goodbye to Texas University, so long to the Orange and the
White....",...."Saw Varsity's Horns off...".) They
sing about us no matter who they play in any sport! You want to know why? Because
we're family. We may not be brothers, but we're cousins.
Teasips secretly root for the Aggies many many times. We root for them when they
fly in the Space Shuttle, when they grow ten-fifteen onions and maroon carrots
or when they find LaSalle's ship 500 years after it sank. You know that
guy who's a pro football player? He's an Aggie. You know that
medical researcher with the Nobel-like idea? She's an
Aggie. You know that guy who took Shamrock Oil and Gas into Diamond Shamrock?
He's an Aggie. Hell, he's got a dorm named after him at Texas
A&M...Dunn Hall. His name was Harold Dunn. Aggies are family.
Have you ever been to midnight yell practice at your college? Have
you ever stood in silence and answered the roll call for a deceased Aggie.
That is called "Muster". Have you ever been on the deck of the Texas
Clipper in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean one summer and had an F-4 Phantom
jet do a flyby, inverted, with landing gear extended as a salute to all the
Aggies onboard the vessel? Because the naval aviator was an Aggie and knew
your position. Us non-Aggies marvel at their mystic traditions. Like
we'd marvel at a family member who made it into the elite Navy Seals.
Aggies are special and they are just like family. We love them, laugh at
them, get frustrated by them and admire them. Just like members of
anyone's family. Sometimes you apologize for them and sometimes you hope
they'll forgive you. And there is a boatload of them in the oil and gas
business. In 1975 your author was a liberal arts graduate of UT-Austin and the
economy was awful. Your Dow Industrials were near 500 (yes, 500...) not
anywhere near the 11,000 or so now. No one was hiring. But an Aggie
gave this newly married, jobless graduate of UT a job with Diamond Shamrock.
When I was going through personnel in Amarillo, the home office at the time, the
personnel guy asked me where I went to school. I told him "UT".
He said, "Good...we're up to our ass in Aggies here..."!! Later,
the guy who got me the job, Harold Dunn, had the dorm at A&M named for
him. This was done while he was alive!
He and an another fellow, Mr. Krueger, I believe, had a ceremony where their
dorms were celebrated. I skipped a UT game to go to College Station to attend
the festivities. In true Aggie fashion, Dunn and Krueger gave each other a
little ribbing at the ceremony. Dunn said he liked Krueger's speech best
because it was "short". Krueger told Dunn that only honor
students would stay in the Krueger dorm. On and on, pure Aggie mirth and good
fun. Just like Aggies, just like family. Texas needs Aggies and their many
storied traditions. The energy business needs all the Aggies that the
school can produce. And Aggies make good neighbors and family, too.
I am from Texas. I work in Texas in the energy business. I went to
the University of Texas. But you know what? I am part Aggie, too.
You can't be one without being a little part of the other. That's
why true Teasips and Texans are hurting for our Aggie family tonight.
We've had a death in our family too. Give your Aggie co-workers a
little room on this issue because they deserve it.
Gig 'em!
|
I know that A&M and everyone involved in the
tragedy have been in your thoughts and prayers since early this morning. I
have everyone's e-mail address on my computer and will act as a "clearing
house" for any information you may know and can share. Josh called me at
3:51 this morning to tell me about the tragedy. I just got off the phone from
talking with him again. I will tell you what I know. I realize that this is
redundant to many of you in the immediate area, but for those out-of-state...
information may be harder to come by. Understand that information is still
rather sketchy at the moment... I apologize for any errors...
Derek
Woodley, a freshman from Georgetown, is recovering at College Station Medical
Center . He has a broken wrist, a broken ankle, and a serious cut on his leg.
His parents are with him in College Station. Tim Kerlee, a freshman from
Barlett, Tennessee is in the Critical Care Unit at St. Joseph Hospital. His
lower body was crushed. His parents have flown in... arrived about an hour
ago... and are at the hospital. All other members of Squadron 16 are accounted
for... but many are very shaken... to say the least. It wasn't but just a few
months ago that I told everyone via e-mail about another tragedy at A&M...
and how easily it could have been your daughter or my son. Please continue to
keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. "There but for the grace of
God go I..."
I will keep
everyone posted as I learn things. If you need an address or a phone number, I
have everyone's. The rosters are printed and ready to mail... they were going
to be sent out next week.
You can
also get information from the University... http://bonfire.tamu.edu
As of right
now, Josh says that there is nothing we can do as a group. I feel sure that
all parents have talked with their child and will make an individual decision
on their next course of action. I am in Dallas... but can be at A&M in
less than 3 hours. If you are out-of-state and just want me to go and look at
your child... give them a hug for you... let you know that they really are
"okay"... let me know and I will be on my way. In the mean time... I
will share whatever information I recieve. Please do the same. And keep
everyone in your thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Naylor
806 Green Canyon Drive
Mesquite, Texas 75150
972-681-2157 (home)
972-226-7601 (work)
This is mainly for the out-of-state parents.
I realized after talking to Nancy Steinke in Nevada, that the information is
little and far between in the other states. She asked if I knew where Derek
and Tim's parents were staying... if we could possibly help with some of the
hotel bills. TXCNN is reporting many hotels in the College Station area have
stepped forward and are providing free rooms for the parents of the injured
students. We may think seriously of helping in a monetary fashion at a later
date to offset the other expenses they will occur. I will keep you posted. In
the meantime... for those of you out of state. Channel 8 news out of Dallas
will have a live broadcast of the day's happening from 9 to 10 this evening.
It will also be broadcast on the internet... so if you are out of state, you
may be able to access the program through the web... depending on your
computer and your modem speed. It is worth a try...
http://wfaa.com/breakingnews
I hope it works for those of you who are further away.
I'll keep you posted...
Still praying...
Barbara Naylor
Dear Fellow Ags -
I write this with a heavy heart
following the most tragic day in the history of the Texas A&M campus. The
predictions of a great view of the Leonid meteor shower had Brazos Valley
residents up in the wee hours this morning. About 4:30 am I was sitting out in
the back yard, bundled up with my wife and daughters. We were feeling the chill
of the pre-dawn and watching an incredible meteor show. I heard sirens in the
distance and, for a minute, felt sorry for what must be another wreck of some
kind out on Hwy 6. Then around 5 am the phone rang and our A&M world turned
upside down. I stopped by the Bonfire site one evening last week just to take it
all in. The enthusiasm, excitement and sense of urgency permeated the whole
atmosphere. Although the location had changed from the mid-70's, I remembered
that feeling like it was just yesterday. Early this morning, about 75 dedicated
Aggie students arrived at the Bonfire site for the midnight to 6 am shift of
"Push Week". At least 9 of them didn't come home. There are likely at
least two more fatalities at this time.
I have always felt like I couldn't be
a bit more Aggie than I have always been, but that was before I moved to College
Station two years ago. The campus family is very closely knit. As we attended
the afternoon prayer services and tonight's memorial service, the comfort of
being part of this group is hard to describe. The television replays didn't do
justice to the student turnout at Reed Arena. Every seat, aisle and free space
was taken, building the crowd to about 15,000. A local florist delivered
hundreds of long stemmed roses to place in many of the seats. It was a gesture
of wanting to do something to help, just as many of us wanted to, but weren't
sure just how.
Overflow sites included the Archery
Room in the Student Recreation Center and the Flag Room in the Memorial Student
Center. I understand they were full too. At Reed Arena, Molly and I sat behind
parents whose children died today. It was an experience that I can't even begin
to describe. The official party for the ceremony included President George Bush,
Lt. Gov. Rick Perry, Don Powell, Chairman of the A&M System Regents, A&M
President Ray M. Bowen, Malon Southerland, VP for Student Affairs, Will Hurd,
Student Body President, and Rev. Larry Krueger. I hope you got to see part of it
on TV. Administrators in coat and tie sat arm in arm with redpots in muddy
jeans. There was not a dry eye in the house. After the service I looked up at
the crowd and the entire arena stood in total silence, linked arm in arm as if
ready to "saw". However tonight, those Aggie arms were linked in
brotherhood of being part of Texas A&M and the "Spirit can ne'er be
told".
As administrators and President Bush
consoled the families and then exited, we stood there in silence. Softly from
the back one voice started singing Amazing Grace - then two - then a hundred -
then 15,000 joining in unison and then singing it again. This is a special
place, my friends, a very special place.
Names Released For Bonfire Casualties
The following nine Texas A&M
students have been identified so far, as among the fatalities from the collapse
of the Bonfire stack early this morning (Nov. 18).
* Christopher D. Breen from Austin;
* Jeremy R. Frampton, a senior
psychology major from Turlock, Calif.;
* Jamie Hand, a freshman
environmental design major from Henderson;
* Christopher Lee Heard, a freshman
pre-engineering major from Houston;
* Lucas John Kimmel, freshman
biomedical science major from Corpus Christi;
* Bryan A. McClain, a freshman
agriculture major from San Antonio;
* Chad A. Powell, a sophomore
computer engineering major from Keller;
* Jerry D. Self, a sophomore
engineering technology major from Arlington;
* Nathan Scott West, sophomore, ocean
engineering major from Bellaire.
Bonfire Memorial Fund Established
Donations can be sent to the Texas
A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840-2811.
Make checks payable to Texas A&M Foundation. In the memo section add
"Bonfire Memorial Fund."
In Closing -
It is now 11:59 pm on Thursday. After
writing this I felt strangely compelled to drive to campus, to see the Bonfire
site. Maybe this will help me feel better somehow or bring it closer to home for
you. The news is now in that the death toll is up to 11 and the shock deepens.
As I near the Commons area, I am amazed to see the traffic parked along the
curbs. Around the curve in front of the Administration Building and as far as
the eyes can see there are cars and trucks. I am definitely not alone in being
drawn here. The crowd stunned me, as I would estimate about 10,000 people
surround the site right now. I notice row after row of satellite trucks, then
dozens of huge piles of neatly stacked dismantled logs. The stack fell toward
Texas Ave and, from my vantage point looks smaller than on TV. As I compare it
to the size of the survival team and equipment however, it is still about 20
feet tall, even now.
As I walk around the entire perimeter
I'm deeply affected. First there is a log where people have left dozens of
memorial bouquets of fresh flowers. I pass a group of bonfire "pots"
in a circle on one knee praying. Many tears all through the crowd as the
confirmation of the death toll gets passed around. Another bigger group of
students in a prayer circle. A family heavily laden with sacks of homemade
sandwiches - the mother saying, "We just drove these in from Houston. We
felt like we had to do something to help our Aggies." Heavy equipment is
everywhere. Large groups looking on from various spots to get a better view of
the seemingly hundreds of crisis workers at the site. I see a student group
sitting in a circle around several lighted candles - singing some praise songs.
Oh, yeah - then three hearses waiting in the shadows of the east side. Several
pick up trucks positioned with guys standing on the roofs looking through
cameras with huge telephoto lenses. Another very large group of students and
then another.
Next to the stack there is a huge
Bryan FD ladder truck fully extended with 3 firemen surveying from above,
directing the next rescue move. Then a precision claw contraption removes a log
with what appears the skill of surgeon. Big yellow media tents fill the south
side of the site. I walk further and a student with cold bottles of water works
through the crowd giving them away with a smile. As I leave, I'm overcome with
emotion at the pain shared and the visible bonds of friendship. Please keep the
parents of the injured and deceased students, as well as the entire campus, in
your prayers.
Miles Marks
Executive Director
12th Man Foundation
Bonfire Will Burn This Year
Joy, dreams, laughter, and hope,
Vanish in a dark instant.
Lives slip away-falling.
Into a jumble of ruined futures.
Word spread with speed of night.
Phones ring, and shaking young voices
Seek to reassure parents-
Needing reassurance in return.
"Pray for me, pray for all of us"
The message repeated across the land.
Each prayer multiplied a hundredfold.
By the Spirit that can Ne'er be told.
Through the long vigil, tears stay close companions,
As Ags search, and mourn, and move logs.
As our family unites more solidly than ever before.
Each new heartache fuels the Sprit to new levels.
Bonfire was never really about those logs anyway.
It was always about us-the great family of Aggies
Joined for ninety years of building a bonfire.
Bonfire brings us together to show our love for Aggieland.
It is the 12th Man's finest hour.
Bonfire WILL BURN THIS YEAR!!!!
It burns when hundreds wait in line to give blood.
It burns when grieving families are embraced .
It burns when team and students move those logs.
It burns when thousands pray in the afternoon
It burns when thousands more join arms at Reed.
This year Bonfire may not light the night sky of College Station,
But Bonfire will light the hearts of Aggies everywhere.
As the life and spirit of each lost Aggie is remembered
Bonfire will burn-not only this year, but forever
Bonfire 99 is indeed the 12th Man's finest hour
Kathy Smith
3rd Generation Ag
