BonFire Memorial...
This is what is inscribed on the Bonfire Memorial at Texas A&M. Some of you know what happened here on 18th of November 1999 at 2:42 AM and why this memorial stands, others among you do not... Some of you will look it up and find out for yourself, and others will browse accross this page and never give it another thought. But you all have the opportunity to learn about one of the most amazing traditions at A&M and why we do not carry it on anymore.
This memorial is enormous, if you want to know how big just ask Randall, he's seen it. All of the people killed in this tragedy have their own structure made of brass and has their portrait in it along with a description of them and their lives written by friends and family. Their portraits are all facing the respective directions of their hometowns. It is quite the sight.
Inscribed on a wall walking in is:
It was Judgement 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
Wether they won or 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
Sung 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.”
The Last Corps Trip
Philo H. DuVal, Jr. ‘51
You can see some pics of the memorial at community.webshots.com/user/kevinlyon
This memorial is enormous, if you want to know how big just ask Randall, he's seen it. All of the people killed in this tragedy have their own structure made of brass and has their portrait in it along with a description of them and their lives written by friends and family. Their portraits are all facing the respective directions of their hometowns. It is quite the sight.
Inscribed on a wall walking in is:
It was Judgement 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
Wether they won or 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
Sung 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.”
The Last Corps Trip
Philo H. DuVal, Jr. ‘51
You can see some pics of the memorial at community.webshots.com/user/kevinlyon