Texas A. & M University, College Station, Texas, 1/4/2014

Today Jamie and I toured Texas A. & M. University where Jamie's daughter , Sara , is in a masters degree program. Sara took us to the Bon fire memorial which recalls the tragic accident that happened November 18,1999. There is a long standing tradition of this Bon fire pep rally prior to the football game with traditional rival Texas University. The Aggies build a large tall structure of logs stacking them upright end to end in such a manner that you could say they represents tiers of a  cake. As the tower of logs was being assembled a few minutes after two-thirty on the morning of November 18, the bottom stack of the Texas A&M bonfire began to groan and creak and move  The tower of 18-foot logs was being  wired together so that they would stand perpendicular to the ground around the base of a towering center pole The tower started leaning slowly to the southeast. Above this base rose three more perpendicular stacks, stair-stepped to make the entire structure 59-foot tall. Each tier rested on the one below it, so that when the bottom layer shifted, the entire stack of logs, more than a million pounds of timber, was set in motion and came tumbling down. A number of student were all around the base of the tower and some were actually on it when if started to lean and fall. By the time the dust settled 12 Aggies were killed or eventually died as a result of injures received. This memorial is to remember those who were killed as well as others.

The lighting ceremony included the playing of " The Spirit Of Aggie Land " by the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and the traditional reading of " The Last Corps Trip " poem. An outhouse, known as the ' t.u. tea room " or the " t.u.Frat House " was built by sophomores in the band and placed atop the completed Bonfire. Aggie lore has it that if the Bonfire stands until after midnight, they would win the game.

 Stacked Logs Being Prepared For Pep Rally Bonfire

The Bonfire Memorial is very impressive and is made up of three sections representing Aggie Bonfire tradition, history and spirit. As you approach the memorial you enter at Tradition Plaza which serves as a barrier between the outside world and the solemness of the memorial. The wall is engraved with the poem " The Last Corps Trip "  which was recited before the lighting of the fire each year. The following photographs show this wall and the poem:

This Is An Inscription On The Entrance To The Memorial To Those Texas A & M Students 

Killed In The Tragic Accident At An Bon Fire Pep Rally

Wall Of Inscription At Memorial Site

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

Enlargement Of Wall Of Inscription 

As you exit the Tradition Plaza you proceed up the History Walk to the memorial. You see 89 granite blocks along the side of the walk which represents a year between 1909 and 1989 in which the Bon fire was burned, There are notches cut in each stone to represent November, the 11th month of the year and  the month of the tragedy. Amber lights are within these notches to light the walk at night and to symbolize the the burning Bonfire. There are blocks representing the years 1955, 1982 and 1996 which include bronze plaques remembering students killed in those years in Bonfire activities. There are 27 granite blocks connected to the 12 portals to form the Spirit Ring which is 170 feet in diameter and represent the fence they built around the Bonfire. Each of these 27 blocks has a plaque to represent the 27 Aggies injured in the 1999 collapse but they have been left blank as a tribute to all who were injured during Bonfire's 90 year history. You can gain access to the center of the Spirit Ring through any of the 12 portals, one for each Aggie lost in 1999.  Each portal is on a line extending from the center of the Spirit Ring to the center of the home town of the Aggie. Each portal has a bronze plaque which is engraved with a portrait of the Aggie, his or her signature and a written reflection. The very center of the Spirit Ring has a black granite marker, 18 inches in diameter which represents the Bonfire stack's center pole. This marker is engraved with the time and date of the collapse:11-18-1999 2:42 a. m..

Site Of The Bon Fire Tragedy On The Texas A. & M. Campus. There Is One Of These 

Upright Rectangular Features Called Portals For Each Student Killed. On The Inside Of 

Each Is A Bronze Image Of The Student, His Or Her Signature And Words Written By 

The Student As Well As Words Written By Others. The Following Are A few Of These Images. Because Of The Bright Sunlight And Reflections Off The Bronze Images I Was Only Able To Get A Few Photographs;However, These Represent The Memorial.

Nathan Scott West '02

Christopher Lee Heard '03

Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr. '03

Part Of The Inscription On Timothy Doran Kerlee Plaque

Michael Stephen Ebanks, '03

Michael Stephen Ebanks 

Jerry Don Self '01

Comments About Jerry Don Self And His Love Of God.

The names of the other Aggies who perished in the Bonfire accident are: Miranda Denise Adams '02; Christopher D. Breen '96; Jeremy Richard Frampton '99; Jamie Lynn Hand '03; Lucas John Kimmel '03; Bryan A. McClain '02; And Chad A. Powell '03.

Next Sara took us to the " Ring " This large Texas A & M class ring stands outside a beautiful administrative building which houses The Association Of Former Students.

Texas A & M Class Ring

The Other Side Of The Texas A & M Class Ring

Jamie And Sara In The Shade

Jamie And Sara Still In The Shade

Grandpa Bill And Sara

Night Time Photograph Of The Ring

Aggie Foot Ball Stadium ( Kyle Field ) In The Back Ground Is Undergoing Redevelopment.

Another View Of Aggie Foot Ball Stadium ( Kyle Field ) In The Back Ground Is Undergoing Redevelopment.

Rendering On What Kyle Field Stadium Will Look Like When Finished. It Will Be A Beautiful Facility When Completed.

The Century Tree.

 This Live Oak Tree Is Located In The Heart Of The Campus And There 

Are Legends That Surround It. This Live Oak Tree Was One Of The First Trees Planted On 

The Campus Well Over 100 Years Ago. There Have Been Many Proposals, Weddings 

And Photographs Made Of This Tree Because Of Its Immense Size And Its Drooping Limbs Some Of Which Lay On The Ground. The Tradition ( Legend ) Is If A Couple Walks Under 

The Branches Of The Century Tree They Will Eventually Marry. If The Proposal Was Made Under The Branches Of The Tree, The Marriage Is Suppose To Last Forever. The Counter Legend Is If You Walk Under This Tree Alone You Will Be Alone For Ever And Never Marry.

The Rest Of Your Life ( Meaning You Will Never Marry ). OR. If You Walk Under This Tree 

With a Girl/Boy You Will Always Be Together. ( For This Reason Girls Will Not Walk Under 

The Tree With A Boy ). I Understand The Boys Always Try To Get Their Date To Walk Under The Tree With Them But The Girls Walk Around The Tree.

Another View Of Live Oak Tree

Just look At This Massive Live Oak Tree. I Believe This Is My  Favorite Species Of Tree. 

Many Times When Visiting Texas I Have Brought Back Acorns From Live Oaks In Hopes

 Of Getting One To Grow Here In Ohio But No Luck. I Suspect I Just Did Not Follow The Correct Procedure To Prepare The Acorn For Germination.

Next Sara Took Us To See The Statue Of Lawrence Sullivan ( Sul ) Ross

Sul was a very interesting person. He was born and raised in Texas. He attended Baylor University and Florence Wesleyan University. He was a member of the Texas Rangers and was youngest confederate general during the American Civil War. He served in the Texas state legislator and two terms as Texas 19th governor. In 1891 he became president of the Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas ( now known as Texas A. & M. ) where he served for several years until his death in 1898. He is credited with keeping the college open  while governor and an example of the Aggie Spirit and tradition. Legend has it that Sul would often tutor students and as payment would only accept a penny for their thoughts. Students later would later place pennies on the feet of Sul statue hoping it would bring them good luck during an exam. If you would like to learn more about this man and his life go to Google http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Sullivan_Ross.

Base Of Lawrence Sullivan Ross Statue

Today Many Students Will Leave A Penny On And Around The Feet Of His Statue Hoping It 

Will  Bring Good Luck When Taking Exams. These Were The Pennies That Were On The Statue The Day We Visited It.

Sara Took Us To The Building That Houses The Hall Of Flags And Other Interesting Areas Including The Student Book Store. Since School Was Not In Session When We Were There There Was Not Much Action Here At This Time But As You Can See The Numerous Nice Seating Areas It Is A Comfortable Place To Hang Out And Study Or Just Relax. After You Exit This Hall Of Flags You Enter A Hall Where One Wall Is Covered With Magnificent Wood Carving Telling A History Of The University. The Detail Of These Carvings Was Striking.

Carving  Of Campus Landmarks

Description Of Campus Landmarks Carving

Carving Depicting The Corps Of Cadets

Description Of Corps Of Cadets

Carving Of Sports And Traditions

Description Of Sports And Traditions Carving

Carving Of Agriculture

Description Of Agriculture Carving

Carving Of Veterinary Medicine And Science

Description Of Veterinary Medicine And Science Carving

Carving Of Engineering And The Arts

Description Of Engineering And The Arts Carving

Carving Of Student Life

Description Of Student Life Carving

Next Sara took us to the Congressional Medal Of Honor Display. There are Seven Aggies who have received the Congressional Medal Of Honor, which is awarded for valor against an enemy force, and is the highest award a member of the Armed Services of the United States can earn.This pays tribute and honor to those Aggies who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Specialist Fifth Class Clarence E. Sasser. He Was A Student At Texas A & M After His Service In Vietnam Were He Earned His Medal Of Honor

Sergeant William G. Harrell '43

First Lieutenant Eli L. Whiteley ' 41

First Lieutenant Turney W. Leonard '42

Major Horace S. Carswell '38

Staff Sergeant George D. Keathley '37

 Second Lieutenant Thomas W. Fowler

Second Lieutenant  Lloyd H. Hughes

Accompanying each of these photograph was a description of their service and the event that led to the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor. As a retired military man myself I salute these individuals for their service and sacrifice.

Following this tour of the campus we went to the George H. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and toured it. This tour is in a separate posting. After a good meal, a good nights sleep and a good breakfast the next morning Jamie and I said goodbye to Sara and headed for San Antonio to visit a good retired Air Force friend and his wife. When we went to College Station it was our intend to see the George H. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. I did not realize I would see enough other stuff to post a separate blog just on Texas A & M and I am sure there is much more we did not see. I thank Sara for taking time out of her busy schedule to give us the tour. I appreciate it.

Grandpa Bill

COMMENT " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go. " Joshua 1: 9. Moses who had been leading the people of Israel has died and the Lord has told Joshua he is now to lead the people. These are the words the Lord spoke to Joshua as encouragement and as a command. We also can depend on the Lord to be with us wherever we go.