Remembering Aggie Bonfire

On November 18, 1999 at 2:30 AM, the Aggie bonfire fell and collapsed killing 12 Aggies and injuring 27 more. The Aggie bonfire tradition began back in the year 1909 by group of cadets burning a heap of trash to generate enthusiasm on campus to beat the infamous Aggie rivals, the Longhorns of the University of Texas, or as Aggies call them, "T.U.". Soon after the first bonfire, it became a long standing Aggie tradition. The process for building the bonfire became much more complex than the pile of trash they started with. It is a 5 stage process: Cut, Stack, Push, Finish, and Burn. Construction first began with "Cut" in late October, by obtaining wood by cutting down trees for free to clear out real-estate space with axes, which took several weekends. Next was "Stack", which students began a 3 week process by gathering the logs that were cut and wiring them together and shaping the eventual bonfire. Towards the end of "Stack" was "Push", where students worked around the clock in shifts to finish the bonfire in time for the eventual burn ceremony. In the finish process the "redpots" or upperclassmen finished off the 5th and 6th level of the stack. Then, the night before the biggest game of the year, Aggies gathered around the bonfire for the burning ceremony in which they doused it with jet fuel and burned the bonfire along with a shack on top painted burnt orange symbolizing their rival "T.U.". After the collapse on the 18th of November, the campus was eerily silent. Classes empty, students at the site of the collapse to offer their help in any way. An official memorial service was held less than seventeen hours after the collapse. Over 16,000 mourners packed Reed Arena to pay tribute to those who died and those who had spent all day trying to rescue the injured. At the end of the service, as A&M University President Ray Bowen presented roses to the families of the dead and injured students, the crowd spontaneously stood in silence, linking arms with those standing next to them, before quietly singing "Amazing Grace". Only after all of the rescue workers and family members had left the facility did the audience depart. Although it had been a tragedy the rivalry went on and the Aggies beat Texas 20-16. With the 10th year of reflection of this tragedy, Aggies are stronger than ever. Although the campus tradition was banned after, the tradition continued off campus. Many from the outside ask, Why do such a dangerous and senseless tradition. It is best explained by this famous Spirit of Aggieland quote, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it." Perhaps even better stated by former Vice Student Body President of the University of Texas at Austin, "I learned something tonight. For all us Longhorns who discount A&M in our neverending rivalry, we need to realize one thing. Aggieland is a special place, with special people. It is infinitely better equipped than us at dealing with a tragedy such as this for one simple reason. It is a family. It is a family that cares for its own, a family that reaches out, a family that is unified in the face of adversity; a family that moved this Longhorn to tears. My heart, my prayers, and the heart of the UT student body go out tonight to Aggies and their family and friends as they recover from this great loss. Texas A&M, the Eyes of Texas are Upon You--and they look with sincere sympathy upon a family that has been through so much tragedy this semester." - Eric Opiela