Today is the anniversary of the bonfire collapse in 1999.
I was asleep in my bed (right across the street from campus) when my phone rang. It was my mom asking if I had heard the news. Obviously I hadn’t. I woke my roommate up and we all got dressed quickly and headed over to the site. What I saw when I got there was unlike anything I could have imagined. I truly don’t even know how to describe the scene other than to say it felt like a major crime scene or natural disaster. It was still early and the shock was still very real. No one spoke. The only sounds were tears and voices from the rescue workers.
Later in the day we went back to the site because I couldn’t stay away. Later in the day camera crews and media from around the state and eventually around the nation were on site. I cried and cried for no reason other than Texas A&M is who I am. Those kids crushed alive were my people. I felt a kinship and a fear and a pain so deep inside my heart that I didn’t know how to process it all.
That night there was a memorial/prayer service and it was probably the single most emotional experience of my life. Inside of Reed Arena was an incredibly respectful, and heartfelt service for the entire community to participate in (and it was standing room only). Outside it sounded like a war zone. Media helicopters circled constantly. Like I say, it was one of the single most significant events of my life.
All of this was emotional, and sad and terrible. The shining light in all were the Aggie Rings left by students at the site. As an Aggie my most important, prized and loved possession is my Aggie ring (then and now). Several dozen students didn’t know how to express their emotions so they did the only thing they could think of. They left their most prized possession at the foot of bonfire in honor and respect and memory of those people who unknowingly gave their lives to the school we all loved.
I love Texas A&M, I love College Station, and I love Bonfire. I am thankful that I was a student before Bonfire fell because I was present at 4 bonfires. I am even more thankful that I was a student when Bonfire fell. That tragedy bonded us to each other in the way that only a tragedy can.
One final thought. The weekend after Bonfire fell I had to get out of College Station. It was just too sad. I drove to Austin of all places to stay with my best friend Amber. I am forever thankful that I was able to see and hear the Austin/longhorn reaction first hand. The radio stations were talking of nothing else than how the longhorn community could support the Aggies in this time of tragedy. All conversation and thoughts were of support and love from the longhorns to the Aggies. In this tumultuous time of Texas A&M leaving t.u. to go to the SEC and all the hurt feelings that go along with it, I wish we could see a glimpse of what I saw that weekend. I wish we could remember that off the football field we really are in the this together. Our schools have a rich tradition of rivalry and sometimes hatred, but deep down we are on the same team. But thank the Lord we beat the Hell Out of t.u. The 12th Man won that game because there was no way we were going to lose.
As Reed likes to say ‘Gig em, Aggies’
