Bonfire Memorial
Traditions that cultivate the Aggie Spirit
Bonfire Memorial
Aggie Bonfire 1993. The relative size of the Bonfire can be seen in comparison to those people standing at its base.
A long-standing tradition at Texas A&M University. The Aggie Bonfire was first constructed in 1909 to signify the students' burning desire to beat their long-lived College rivalry with University of Texas in Austin (a.k.a. Texas Longhorns) in the annual football game. For over 90 years, this thriving University tradition grew in meaning. From simple piles of wood to a massive wedding-cake style structure above, Bonfire came to symbolise the Aggie Spirit. It reprsents hard work, determination and teamwork. Each year, tens of thousands of Aggies watch as the Bonfire light the gloomy night. It brought the Aggie family together like never before.
Texas A&M University, Aggie Bonfire Memorial
In 1999, a tragedy claimed the innocent young lives of 12 students (and former students) and injured many others. A partially completed Aggie Bonfire, consisting of about 5000 logs, collapsed during construction. Once again, it brought the Aggie family together. They flocked here by thousands and never gave up any hope. Over 40,000 Aggies gathered, including President George W. Bush (then Texas Governor), lit candles and observed 2 hours of silence at the site of collapse. They came here to wait, to watch, to pray, to grieve, to comfort and to be comforted. Most of all, they came here to offer whatever assistance they could.
Located in a secluded spacious part of Texas A&M University, at a site where the grass are greener, this memorial is a place of remembrance and respect. This granite structure is also the central to all Texas A&M traditions borne by all Aggies even till today.
The wall of the Traditions Plaza is engraved with The Last Corps Trip, a poem which we traditionally recited (annually) before the lighting of each Bonfire.
The History Walk leads us to the Aggie Spirit Ring. 89 granite blocks lie along the History Walk, each representing the year in which a Bonfire was burned, from 1909 to 1998.
12 portals encircled the circumference of the Aggie Spirit Ring, one for each Aggie lost in the tragedy. Their lives and legacies are represented by the inner bronze portals.
Since then, the burning of the Bonfire was discontinued indefinitely for safety reasons. Here, at the Bonfire Memorial, we contemplate the meaning and magnitude of this solemn place that brings us together - a place where our Aggie Spirit lives forever.
Bonfire Memorial
Aggie Bonfire 1993. The relative size of the Bonfire can be seen in comparison to those people standing at its base.
A long-standing tradition at Texas A&M University. The Aggie Bonfire was first constructed in 1909 to signify the students' burning desire to beat their long-lived College rivalry with University of Texas in Austin (a.k.a. Texas Longhorns) in the annual football game. For over 90 years, this thriving University tradition grew in meaning. From simple piles of wood to a massive wedding-cake style structure above, Bonfire came to symbolise the Aggie Spirit. It reprsents hard work, determination and teamwork. Each year, tens of thousands of Aggies watch as the Bonfire light the gloomy night. It brought the Aggie family together like never before.
Texas A&M University, Aggie Bonfire Memorial
In 1999, a tragedy claimed the innocent young lives of 12 students (and former students) and injured many others. A partially completed Aggie Bonfire, consisting of about 5000 logs, collapsed during construction. Once again, it brought the Aggie family together. They flocked here by thousands and never gave up any hope. Over 40,000 Aggies gathered, including President George W. Bush (then Texas Governor), lit candles and observed 2 hours of silence at the site of collapse. They came here to wait, to watch, to pray, to grieve, to comfort and to be comforted. Most of all, they came here to offer whatever assistance they could.
Located in a secluded spacious part of Texas A&M University, at a site where the grass are greener, this memorial is a place of remembrance and respect. This granite structure is also the central to all Texas A&M traditions borne by all Aggies even till today.
The wall of the Traditions Plaza is engraved with The Last Corps Trip, a poem which we traditionally recited (annually) before the lighting of each Bonfire.
The History Walk leads us to the Aggie Spirit Ring. 89 granite blocks lie along the History Walk, each representing the year in which a Bonfire was burned, from 1909 to 1998.
12 portals encircled the circumference of the Aggie Spirit Ring, one for each Aggie lost in the tragedy. Their lives and legacies are represented by the inner bronze portals.
Since then, the burning of the Bonfire was discontinued indefinitely for safety reasons. Here, at the Bonfire Memorial, we contemplate the meaning and magnitude of this solemn place that brings us together - a place where our Aggie Spirit lives forever.