Remember, Remember

"And then it all went up in flames..."

Bonfire. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Bonfire. What began as a trash heap in 1909 grew into a massive wedding cake design, which at its tallest stood 109 feet, 10 inches. Bonfire symbolized A&M’s burning desire to beat the hell out of t.u. It was a task of a monstrous size instituted and executed almost entirely by students over the course of a near-century. It brought to together the Corps of Cadets, non-regs, residential halls, men, and women to build this monument to Aggie dedication and fervor. Bonfire became emblematic of Aggieland and held a meaning greater than just the desire to win a football game. It symbolized the Aggie spirit and a dedication and drive for building something greater than ourselves. Those who saw it burn on campus have said there was nothing like it. The heat and flame was so much that it even burned their shadows into the ground. Those who built it can attest to the sheer amount of strength and manpower it took to construct a project of that size and magnitude. It was absolutely incredible. As we mark the 100th year anniversary of this tradition, we also mark the 10 year anniversary since the collapse. 2009 is a bittersweet year for the tradition of Bonfire. On November 18, 1999 at 2:42 AM, the history of the Aggie Bonfire changed forever. The stack collapsed and taking with it the lives of 12 Aggies. It stunned the campus, the state of Texas, and the entire nation. No one ever considered that the stack might ever fall and if it did, that it would take the lives of those who put their blood, sweat, and tears into it.

The Aggie Community did not miss the significance of the loss of exactly 12 Aggies. The number 12 is particular important to Texas A&M as a referral to the 12^th Man. We all know the story of E. King Gill and his willingness to stand at the ready for when his team needed him. His sportsmanship and spirit of giving is carried on by all Aggies at football games, who stand at the ready in case our team might need us. The 12^th man is what Aggieland stands for. Which leads me to talk about Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr. Tim Kerlee was on the stack when it fell the night of the 18^th. When the stack fell, Tim’s pelvis was crushed, his arm was broken, and there was massive damage to his internal organs. But instead of allowing emergency workers and the rescue team to remove him from the stack, Tim told them that he had a better vantage point for seeing other injured students. The rescuers were directed to five other wounded students before Tim allowed them to remove him from the stack. He went into emergency surgery, lived long enough to bid goodbye to his parents before he passed away. Tim Kerlee was the 12^th and final Aggie to be taken by the Bonfire tragedy. He was a hero in every way and I am immensely proud of the fact that I share the same school as this young man who epitomized selfless service and Aggie values right down to his last breath. As Aggies, we should strive to be more like Tim Kerlee.

As for the fate of Bonfire, Lord knows what’s going to happen. Governor Rick Perry has suggested that Bonfire will be returning to campus within the next few years. Of course, he’s Governor of Texas, not President of Texas A&M University so his opinion is rather moot. There is an open and active student interest in getting Bonfire back on campus. As for me, I would love to see Bonfire return to campus but I understand why it does not. It is a huge liability for the University and no one ever wants a repeated tragedy. But in the mean time while this is all being decided, I hope that people take a moment to look back on what Bonfire means to us. It means dedication, perseverance, and firm resolve. It also means tears, tragedy, and maybe even hope. In moving forward in the history of Bonfire and of the University, we shouldn’t forget to look back and to remember.

I wanted to share the poem called “The Last Corps Trip.” Traditionally read before the lighting of Bonfire, it now adorns the memorial to those who lost their lives in the 1999 collapse. It is emblematic of Aggieland and for me personally, it reminds me of all the things I love about this place.

THE LAST CORPS TRIP

By P.H. DuVal, Jr., Class of 1951

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."