We will never forget the Aggies who lost their lives that morning. At approximately 2:42 a.m. on November 18, 1999 the bonfire stack collapsed, injuring 27 and killing 12. Within minutes the response team began rescue efforts and by morning word had spread to everyone what had happened. The campus of Texas A&M pulled together like never before. A prayer service was held on campus that day and an official memorial service was planned for that night. On the date that bonfire was scheduled to burn, thousands of students held a candlelight vigil for the fallen. Rick Perry expressed his feelings by stating, “We will remember them as long as there is a Texas A&M and Aggie Spirit, and that, my friends, is forever.”
Every year a vigil is held out at the bonfire memorial, the site of the collapse, at 2:42 a.m. I have attended this the past two years and cannot describe the feeling of standing with hundreds of Aggies singing “Amazing Grace” to honor our fellow students. As cold and tired as I was standing out there last night, it was well worth seeing the Aggie spirit come alive and remember those who were lost. Words cannot express the respect and serenity that everyone showed to pay tribute to a long-held tradition. A poem was read with “We remember them” as the response to each line. The Spirit of Aggieland, the War Hymn, and Amazing Grace were all sung. Last year, candles were lit and the families of the students were present. This is just another reminder of why I chose to come to Teas A&M.
We will never forget.
