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re: 14 Years ago today, the darkest day in Aggie history
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:03 pm to NoAC lives
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:03 pm to NoAC lives
I always figured it was some sort of play off the pennies and Sully.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:04 pm to OBReb6
Aggie Muster
Aggie Muster
"Softly call the Muster, let comrade answer 'Here'..."
Aggies gathered together on June 26,1883 to live over again their college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon the drill field and in the classroom. By April 21, 1903, this annual gathering evolved into a celebration of Texas' Independence on San Jacinto Day. These early meetings included field games and banquets for Aggies to reflect and celebrate their memories of Aggieland. 'Let every alumni answer a roll call' wrote the former students. It was not until 1922, however, that April 21 became the official day of events for all Aggies, thus, the annual tradition of Muster was born. The March 1923 Texas Aggie urged, 'If there is an A&M man in one-hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.
Still remembering and honoring the time spent in Aggieland, the tradition of mustering has grown in strength, meaning, and spirit. By 1929, meeting had grown worldwide, and in 1942 Aggie Muster gained international recognition. Twenty-five men, led by General George Moore '08, mustered during the Japanese Siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. Knowing that Muster might soon be called for them, these Aggies embodied the essence of commitment, dedication, and friendship- the Aggie Spirit. They risked their lives to honor their beliefs and values. That small group of Aggies on an outpost during World War II inspired what has developed into one of our greatest traditions.
Muster is celebrated in more than four-hundred places world wide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station. The ceremony brings together more Aggies, worldwide, on one occasion than any other event.
The students of Texas A&M University coordinate the Campus Muster. Because Muster was established to bring Aggies together, each Campus Muster is dedicated to the fifty-year reunion class. The Campus Muster involves an entire day of activities for students both present and past. Alumni enjoy a special program including tours of the ever-changing campus. At noon, all Aggies congregate at the Academic Plaza for the Camaraderie Barbecue that rekindles the tradition of the original Muster celebration. That night, the Muster ceremony consists of an address by a keynote speaker, the reading of poems, followed by the Roll Call for the Absent. The Roll Call honors Aggies that have fallen since the last Muster roll was read. As the names are read, a friend or family member answers 'Here', and a candle is lit to symbolize that while those Aggies are not present in body, they will forever remain with us in Aggie Spirit.
Century-old roots provide the basis of Muster as Aggies know it today. It has changed, yet the Spirit in which it was established remains the same. Since the beginning, every Aggie has lived and become a part of the Aggie Spirit. What is felt today is not just the love of a fellow Aggie, it is the spirit of hundreds of thousands of Aggies who have gone before. Muster is how that Spirit is remembered and will continue to unite Texas A&M and the Aggie family. A&M may change, but the Spirit never will.
Aggie Muster
"Softly call the Muster, let comrade answer 'Here'..."
Aggies gathered together on June 26,1883 to live over again their college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon the drill field and in the classroom. By April 21, 1903, this annual gathering evolved into a celebration of Texas' Independence on San Jacinto Day. These early meetings included field games and banquets for Aggies to reflect and celebrate their memories of Aggieland. 'Let every alumni answer a roll call' wrote the former students. It was not until 1922, however, that April 21 became the official day of events for all Aggies, thus, the annual tradition of Muster was born. The March 1923 Texas Aggie urged, 'If there is an A&M man in one-hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.
Still remembering and honoring the time spent in Aggieland, the tradition of mustering has grown in strength, meaning, and spirit. By 1929, meeting had grown worldwide, and in 1942 Aggie Muster gained international recognition. Twenty-five men, led by General George Moore '08, mustered during the Japanese Siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. Knowing that Muster might soon be called for them, these Aggies embodied the essence of commitment, dedication, and friendship- the Aggie Spirit. They risked their lives to honor their beliefs and values. That small group of Aggies on an outpost during World War II inspired what has developed into one of our greatest traditions.
Muster is celebrated in more than four-hundred places world wide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station. The ceremony brings together more Aggies, worldwide, on one occasion than any other event.
The students of Texas A&M University coordinate the Campus Muster. Because Muster was established to bring Aggies together, each Campus Muster is dedicated to the fifty-year reunion class. The Campus Muster involves an entire day of activities for students both present and past. Alumni enjoy a special program including tours of the ever-changing campus. At noon, all Aggies congregate at the Academic Plaza for the Camaraderie Barbecue that rekindles the tradition of the original Muster celebration. That night, the Muster ceremony consists of an address by a keynote speaker, the reading of poems, followed by the Roll Call for the Absent. The Roll Call honors Aggies that have fallen since the last Muster roll was read. As the names are read, a friend or family member answers 'Here', and a candle is lit to symbolize that while those Aggies are not present in body, they will forever remain with us in Aggie Spirit.
Century-old roots provide the basis of Muster as Aggies know it today. It has changed, yet the Spirit in which it was established remains the same. Since the beginning, every Aggie has lived and become a part of the Aggie Spirit. What is felt today is not just the love of a fellow Aggie, it is the spirit of hundreds of thousands of Aggies who have gone before. Muster is how that Spirit is remembered and will continue to unite Texas A&M and the Aggie family. A&M may change, but the Spirit never will.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:06 pm to aggressor
Remember it well. I lived in Houston at the time. I never had much love for aggies, except on that day. Prayers still go out to all.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:24 pm to aggressor
To the 4 idiots who down voted the OP, if you are that clueless then just skip the thread in the first place. No place for that here.
To everybody else, T&P for those lost and those that soldier on with the burden of loss.
To everybody else, T&P for those lost and those that soldier on with the burden of loss.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:26 pm to Cheese Grits
I hope any people trolling this thread got banned.
RIP to those who died.
RIP to those who died.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:27 pm to NoAC lives
quote:
We have a ceremony each year with a roll call for the deceased. People answer "here" when someone they knew's name is called.
Also, folks answer "here" if they're a member of the same class year as the deceased.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:29 pm to Wild Thang
Not a A&M fan but last year when I first saw a video on it I choked up. Sad time for A&M and for people everywhere
Posted on 11/18/13 at 9:41 pm to Spirit Of Aggieland
quote:
in 1942 Aggie Muster gained international recognition. Twenty-five men, led by General George Moore '08, mustered during the Japanese Siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. Knowing that Muster might soon be called for them, these Aggies embodied the essence of commitment, dedication, and friendship- the Aggie Spirit. They risked their lives to honor their beliefs and values. That small group of Aggies on an outpost during World War II inspired what has developed into one of our greatest traditions.
Today in the Dallas Morning News there was an obituary of a Former Student, Robert Womack, who (while stationed in the Philippines after WWII) organized the 1946 Muster on Corregidor (four years after the famed 1942 one).
For Captain Womack (who left the Army at that rank, and ultimately graduated from A&M with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1948), and for the 12 who died on November 18, "Here".
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:00 pm to bdv1974
quote:
Not a A&M fan but last year when I first saw a video on it I choked up. Sad time for A&M and for people everywhere
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:06 pm to TbirdSpur2010
Can't believe it was really 14 years ago. I rem watching coverage of it on news stations and the game was incredibly emotional. Sad day indeed.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:12 pm to TbirdSpur2010
quote:
Also, folks answer "here" if they're a member of the same class year as the deceased.
You youngins have really got to stop inventing new traditions.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:15 pm to NoAC lives
quote:
You youngins have really got to stop inventing new traditions.
Is this the part where old army and new army get to argue? I like that part
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:17 pm to Spirit Of Aggieland
quote:
Aggie Muster
Thanks for posting.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:19 pm to TbirdSpur2010
quote:
Is this the part where old army and new army get to argue? I like that part
Yes, when did you guys start answering for people who happened to be in your class?
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:20 pm to NoAC lives
quote:
Yes, when did you guys start answering for people who happened to be in your class?
Idk
Folks were doing that before I got there (my fish year was '06).
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:20 pm to aggressor
Damn shame. You guys have paid for the changes harder than most.
Would be nice if you could revive that tradition some day but I guess that's really not a priority.
Cheers Aggies. Much respect.
Would be nice if you could revive that tradition some day but I guess that's really not a priority.
Cheers Aggies. Much respect.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:22 pm to aggressor
I grew up with Jamie Hand, and she was such a special person and embodied the Aggie spirit. Been thinking about her and her family a lot today, along with all the families of the victims. Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts in this thread.
Posted on 11/18/13 at 10:23 pm to faxis
I was at every Muster from 1996-2005. This is the first I've heard of people answering for someone who happened to be in the same class year. My friends who are around your age also never heard of it. I think this might just be you. ;)
Faxis - a group of students now builds a Bonfire off campus. It's much smaller in scale and design but retains most of what made the old one special.
Faxis - a group of students now builds a Bonfire off campus. It's much smaller in scale and design but retains most of what made the old one special.
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