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Sunday, October 16th, 2011, 6:57 pm
Mikee says:
The memorial to those who died in the Bonfire stack collapse is something to see. I would strongly recommend those who visit that site at A&M to take a moment afterwards, and visit another memorial on campus. It is just outside the arches at the Corps dorms. It is a small marker, with the names of Aggies who died in battle, in service to the US. It is quite a humble memorial, compared to the bonfire memorial, but it, too, demonstrates quite well the Spirit of Aggieland.

Thursday, April 1st, 2010, 5:23 pm
James says:
I remembered reading Stephen Henley’s comment inquiring why student bonfire’s story was left out. Initially agreeing because indeed the organization’s role in this continuing legacy is indeed spectacular. Just finished reading an earlier work done in 2004 by Pamela titled, "eternal flame." Her work was again extraordinary. I encourage all interested to read it. Her perspective on this was spot on. http://www.texasmonthly.com/2004-01-01/reporter2.php

Saturday, December 12th, 2009, 3:52 pm
Darren says:
While not an A&M grad I am a Big 12 graduate and wanted to comment on this. I went to one of the bonfires with an A&M grad years ago and it was amazing. The tradition, the students, and the bonding will forever be a memory of mine. I am a mechanical engineer and I cannot see why this cannot become a senior engineering design project. This could be overseen by the engineering professors many of which are registered professional engineers. I am sure there are some past grads that are now PE’s that would also be willing to donate some time. This would be a huge source of pride for those picked to work on this project and it would also provide a sound design for construction. Everything from size, to how bright, to how hot, and how safe the fire would be can be analyized with the technology availible today. All of this could be used to help this tradition live on and live on safely. Every day people loose loved ones but to stop a tradition that has touched so many people’s lives in such a postive way is a mistake.

Saturday, November 28th, 2009, 12:04 pm
Barbara Jackson says:

As a mother of 2 Aggies that year, I remember the many calls that morning from friends checking to see if I had heard from my kids and the fearful hour or 2 until I did hear from them. The feeling that surrounded the campus that day and week cannot be described. It had to be felt. The 12 who died will not be forgotten and the Spirit lives on.

Friday, November 20th, 2009, 7:03 pm
Jessica says:
I read the article out loud to my husband and very close friend. We all 3 lost good friends that night and we had our own memorial at home this week. What I do want to point out though is that one of the articles mentioned that the first off-campus bonfire wasn’t until 2002. This is incorrect. We wore our pots and hugged and cried the very next year as we remembered our 12 fallen family members. We will always remember. Gig ’Em. Jessica Rhodes, Class of 2003.

Monday, November 16th, 2009, 9:54 am
Tim ’78 says:
I disagree with those that suggest that things have diminished on campus, we take the opportunity to go to the campus often, and the Aggie Spirit is alive and well. Please do not forget that the Bonfire continues to burn each year. The current students continue to go to cut, set a centerpole, build the stack, and light ’er up before the tu game. In my opinion, they show a greater commitment to Bonfire because of the tragedy 0f ’99 and they honor the lives of those who perished by continuing the tradition. Burn is set for Tuesday, November 24, don’t be late. Beat the hell outta tu.

Sunday, November 15th, 2009, 7:17 pm
Susan Fernandez says:
Being parents of a sophomore A & M student at the time of the Bonfire tragedy, We were not fully immersed in the traditions of Bonfire. And yet, there was clearly a generosity of family cohesiveness within the Aggie family on campus. A "Howdy" was communicatied with the understanding of what it meant to be an Aggie and what it meant to be an Aggie family within the family of Aggies. When stack collapsed, we grieved for the 12 young lives lost, the injured, and finally for the loss of Aggie tradition. But tradition can be lost and restarted. The injured can get well. But,the students who gave their lives for their beloved university are lost forever. There will always be a hole in our hearts and it is expansive.

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009, 6:52 pm
Lindsay says:
Amazing story. I cried, and I don’t even have very many close ties to A&M. Thanks for letting me into such an important part of the Aggie story.

Sunday, November 8th, 2009, 7:23 am
David says:

The Bonfire should return to A&M, it is the traditions and experiences in life that help define who we are and who we become: Midnight Yell, Yell Leaders, greeting each other on campus with a ’Howdy!’, removing your hat in various places on campus, the Aggie Ring, Ring Dance, and so on. I encourage all parents to send their kids to colleges and universities that have strong traditions and sense of community...they will be better adults because of them.

Thursday, November 5th, 2009, 3:18 pm
jess says:
The tradition of Bonfire is really amazing. The whole student body would come together for the cut, showing what it really means to be apart of the Aggie Family. But it is always important to remember that it wasn’t Bonfire that built the Aggie Spirit, the Aggie Spirit built Bonfire!

Thursday, November 5th, 2009, 10:23 am
Bill Crist ’73 says:

I was a fish in Sqdn 4 the year we built the tallest Bonfire on record. I remember the bruises, the muscle pains, the cuts, the blisters, the pushups. It is all pale compared to the sacrifice our 12 brothers and sisters gave to our beloved school. Every Aggie Muster since that day I have said a "Here" for them. Their sacrifice is forever etched in our minds. Whether or not we ever see another official Bonfire does not matter; our traditions will survive. We are great. We are mighty. We are Texas Aggies.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 11:54 am
S. Lewis ’00 says:
We will never forget that dark morning; we still grieve. Thank you for remembering and honoring our injured and our lost.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 5:21 pm
Rick C ’73 says:
Great story that will move many to tears and many to work to discredit a wonderful tradition that has impacted lives for almost a century. How can someone who has never endured the effort required to do such a thing ever hope to understand the emotion that comes to the surface when this issue is discussed. I remember the four I participated in...much was learned about how the University can bring so much out in such young people. The terrible loss of life can not overcome, but we can hope to rebuild what may come after.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 4:14 pm
Old Army ’98 says:
I could not hold back the tears as I read this article. I can’t stop them whenever I come across any account of that early morning. From Jim Dent’s Backyard Brawl, the multiple articles & metionings in this publication, to any number of books, articles, and blogs that try to give a glimpse of what happened that day. The Aggie Family changed forever. I still hear the UT Band playing Amazing Grace. I still here our Band quietly marching off of Kyle Field. The cannon salutes. Taps. The roar at Gamble’s recovery. The tears as we all watched him reach to the sky. I walk out to the Polo Fields and still hear the rustling of all of the trinkets, momentos, posters, letters, grodes, and every sort of tribute that was left out there in the weeks following that day. I can still smell the embers of all the Bonfires I built before & watched burned. I still feel the silence of thousands standing still as we hoped for a sound to be picked up by the sensitive mics dropped into that pile. What I wish for... what I long for... what SHOULD have "never been forgotten..." is the Spirit. The "Howdy"-s. The silent walk of thousands to the Academic Building to honor a fallen Ag. The creaking of the benches in Kyle from ALL of the student body standing. There is no replacing Bonfire. I am just saddenned by the deterioration of the other proud Traditions. There is no need for a "replacement" activity. As integral as Bonfire had become to the camraderie of the campus, it was never the sole support of that spirit. I miss it. I mourn it. I mourn The Twelve. I want them back. I want it back... but I want the Pride & Passion back more. That should not have waned. That can be revived. Gig ’em, Aggies. God Bless.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 12:08 pm
class of ’01 says:
"Remember The Fallen" The mighty Bonfire, standing so great and tall Our honored tradition, loved by us all Showed an unfamiliar face today When the hearty stacks suddenly gave way A violent face never seen before in all it’s 90 years Has shown itself today, delivering so many tears A new tradition was born today in every Aggie’s soul Bonfire will also be a reminder of the grief that took it’s toll In the hearts of Aggie’s future, present, and past For those who loved our great institution up to the very last Now more than ever, Bonfire should go on So that the Ag’s of the future can reflect upon The lives of our brothers and sisters that gave their all For a family they truly loved, even after the fall GOD BLESS THE AGGIES November 18, 1999 SMN Class of 2001

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 12:01 pm
Susan says:
All I can say is "Thank you"

Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 9:52 pm
Kathy says:
Thanks TM for a very well written article about Bonfire. I expected a very biased, anti-bonfire slant, but was pleasantly surprised by the unique approach used to tell the story of Bonfire and of that fateful night. I attended the memorial service, the yell practice afterwards, and the game. I still get emotional when I see pictures of the candlelight ceremony or of Brian Gamble recovering that fumble to seal the victory against the Longhorns. And I still feel sad every fall when I don’t see that stack going up. Something is missing on campus. The off campus bonfire proves that it can be built safely so it is time to bring Bonfire back.

Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 8:00 am
Donna Duncan says:

I visited the Bonfire Memorial for the first time a week ago with my daughter. What struck me is the time she spent reading every word about each and every fallen Aggie. Although unknown to her personally, these twelve are Aggies, therefore part of her Aggie family. Visiting the Memorial was a moving experience. The words carved into the granite by and about each fallen Aggie made me think a little harder about the type of student that wants to be a part of Texas A&M University and the Aggie Spirit.

Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 12:08 am
Lauren says:
in response to Gayle, what a terrible thing to say, that bonfire is "a tribute to arrogance and ignorance". My father drove up every year after he graduated and when I was born taking me with him. Attending that memorial is one of the most heart breaking memories that I have. You are obviously someone who must not be familiar, or had any real experience with this tradition to say something as terrible as that. People died, and it was terrible, but something amazing came out of it, the real meaning of what being part of the Aggie family is all about. The ability for this diverse community to come together to offer their love and support for those that were lost. This article was a brilliant and insightful piece of what this tradition is all about. And you can bet that I am there again supporting student bonfire as much as I will stand tall for those that were lost at the memorial that will be held soon at the monument.

Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 9:18 am
Gayle says:
The bonfire is a monument to "arrogance and ignorance" to use a few words from the plaintiff’s attorney quoted in the article. A monument that claimed the lives of twelve young people. Surely Texas A&M can find another way to develop the esprit de corps they seem so intent on bragging about.

Friday, October 30th, 2009, 7:38 pm
Linda Herklotz/Elmore ’88 says:
I like the suggestion of Allison...to wait two more years. Twelve years for twelve lives. Then, let the tradition live on.

Thursday, October 29th, 2009, 12:50 pm
Patrice Owens Kihlken ’83 says:

In 1999 I grieved with all other Aggies for the 12 souls that perished that day. I know that not a day goes by that their families and friends don’t think of them, and my heart goes out to them. But I also think that ten years is long enough for a tradition such as bonfire to be extinguished. The time has come for Texas A&M to heal and build up.

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, 9:07 am
Heather Hines ’05 says:

All the Aggies that were lost that day will never be forgotten. A&M has a history surrounding our 12th man, who stood ready to aid his team in time of need. That tragic day we had a 12th man. Tim Kerlee was the 12th person to be lost that day and he continuously sent rescuers to somebody else he could see still trapped. He was our 12th man, who came to the aid of his Aggie team, and saved many lives. In every great tragedy comes triumph.

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, 1:13 pm
Daniel Eggert ’02 says:

I was there that evening. God graciously spared many that night, but I will never forget Scott West or the 11 other Aggies I didn’t know. Thank you for reminding all that there were injuries, not just fatalities. Most of all, thank you for your fair and balanced treatment of Student Bonfire. Having participated in both, I can tell you Student Bonfire continues out of love for Texas A&M and respect for the Aggies of ’99.

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, 10:05 am
Julia Wood says:
In ’98 I went behind my father’s back and went to Bonfire with my Aggie date. As a third generation Longhorn this was a cardinal sin in my friends and families’ eyes. But seeing Bonfire was an amazing experience. It was one of those things you just can’t explain, especially to a bunch of Longhorns. In ’99 I went with my friend who took me to bonfire to the Prayer Vigil at the UT Campus. That too was one of the most amazing nights. We were not Aggies or Longhorns, we were a bunch of college kids who lost friends. We mourned together, prayed together and tried our best to support each other. I was so proud of UT that day and glad to share our campus with my Aggie Friends. Thank you Texas Monthly for a wonderful article. It was so nice to read the history of bonfire told from those who put their blood, sweat and tears into tradition. Hook ’Em. Julia McIlheran Wood Texas ’Ex 2001

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, 12:38 am
Tom Osborn ’68 says:
Thank you, TM, for a wonderful story about a school we think so grand. For it’s a spirit that can never be told, Bonfire is the Spirit of Aggieland. Fall, 1964, was my first encounter as a Fish. It was full of sweat, blood and tears for many Fish; but, it burned into our being the fierce pride, passion and performance which characterize an Aggie’s contribution to any endeavor. Bonfire symbolizes the Aggie Spirit.

Monday, October 26th, 2009, 7:30 pm
John Peet says:
I went to my first Aggie bonfire with all my Aggie buddies in 1963 and went back in ’64 and ’65.I thought the bonfires were great as are all the traditions that go in to Texas A&M.I was there at the football game in ’99 and was moved to tears by the respect and love shown at halftime by the Longhorn band.You see, I’m a Longhorn...and if there was ever a game that A&M needed to win,it was that game.We really have a lot more in common than we ever admit. Hook ’em Horns and Gig ’em Aggies really sounds pretty good together,and it always will to me.But on Thanksgiving Day I’ll be pulling for Texas and you will pull for A&M...but that’s OK.That’s the way it should be and that’s the way it will always be.That tradition will never change!

Monday, October 26th, 2009, 2:46 pm
Erin ’03 says:
Thank you so much for the moving Bonfire article, which accurately portrays what happened that November day. I was a freshman in ’99 & had never seen Bonfire before. I didn’t even know much about any A&M tradition until I was there. I didn’t know any of the 12 Aggies who died, but I will never forget that day & how I felt. I will never forget the candlelight ceremony or the memorial service. There was a huge change in the atmosphere on campus for weeks to follow. A&M was forever changed & all of the students were changed. To this day, I am still sad when I hear or read about it. I remember going home for Thanksgiving that year & everyone I ran into who knew I was an Aggie had some comment to make. I was already upset enough & people just wanted to give their opinion on something they knew nothing about. The saying about Aggieland really is true: "from the outside looking in you can’t understand it, from the inside looking out you can’t explain it." I’m not sure anyone other than fellow Aggies can ever understand how important Bonfire was to our university. However, Bonfire did not define the Aggie Spirit, which will live on no matter what future decisions are made about an on campus Bonfire. I would also like to mention how great it was of UT to be as respectful as they were during our difficult time. Gig ’Em!

Sunday, October 25th, 2009, 9:19 pm
RJR ’09 says:
Well done, TM and Pamela Colloff. While reading this article, I was relieved to find it was an accurate portrayal of the events that took place on that November day in ’99, from the mouths of the people that were there. Not at all what we have come to expect (backhanded compliments) from Burka. Thank you for your objectiveness and professionalism on such a serious subject and unforgettable tragedy. Gig ’Em.

Sunday, October 25th, 2009, 4:32 pm
Allison Arnold ’93 says:

We should wait two more years - 12 in all, one for each of the fallen. Then finish what they started. Build it and burn it for them. If at that point the Aggie family wants to discontinue Bonfire, so be it. But we should finish what they started.

Sunday, October 25th, 2009, 3:44 pm
Siera Brantley ’08 says:
Thank you.Gig ’Em.

Saturday, October 24th, 2009, 4:12 pm
Stephanie Vertrees says:
I don’t think enough can be said about the support that UT gave us that year. I remember making that 1 1/2 hour drive from CS to Austin to participate in the candlelight vigil that UT held in place of its typical Hex Rally. It was so poignant, hearing Mack Brown pour his heart out for us Aggies during our time of mourning. That night, I think most of us felt less like rivals and more like fellow Texans. Thank you, TM, for helping us relive such a sad and yet meaningful memory. Stephanie (Michael) Vertrees, Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2001

Saturday, October 24th, 2009, 2:24 am
Andy Duffie ’78 says:
Very well done, TM. Texas A&M will never forget that tragedy - or the 12 students who are honored by the Bonfire Memorial on campus. The support shown to A&M by the University of Texas during those days was overwhelming, completely unexpected, and was a big first step in our collective healing process. Thanks again, UT.

Friday, October 23rd, 2009, 9:45 am
Pastor Deb Grant says:

As one of many campus pastors who walked alongside our beloved students those horrific hours and heavy November days, thank you for letting the Ags tell the story.

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009, 11:13 pm
Nicole says:
TM, the debate about bringing back Bonfire and the upcoming 10-year anniversary has stirred a lot of interest in the ’99 tragedy. Thank you for giving us the words of the very Aggies who were there. No matter what an individual feels about bringing back Bonfire, this was a moving, wonderfully researched article. - frickpot Nicole C., Lekner Crew

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009, 8:42 pm
Steven C. Kahla says:
At the time I was a pisshead in Company C-2 Old Army Company. We were perimeter guard and were always the most redassed crew at cut and stack. We were lead by Brad Moring that year, one of the best Butt Pots to lead a crew and a great guy in general. We lost 12 good friends that night. Old Army died and the university has not been the same since. To keep revisiting the event and try to blame someone is like beating a dead horse - its not going to get up and finish the race just because you hit it harder.

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009, 4:36 pm
Stephen Henley says:
TM, thank you for an article that is not so much written as it was told from the perspective of those that experienced it. However, one missing perspective is any positive comments about Student Bonfire. This organization has shown that a professional, safety-focused attitude can cure the problems that plagued previous Bonfires. How do we proactively ensure a tragedy like the collapse never happens again? We can either cease such an endeavor or we can change it to make it safer. As a whole, I believe the Aggie family prefers the latter rather than the former. Stephen Henley Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band Class of 2001

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009, 4:56 am
James Thorpe says:
Thank you TM. A well written, non-biased account of what happened. Aggies, lets come together and begin a new tradition similar to the Big Event and put the same blood, sweat and tears into something greater than ourselves. Class of ’96.

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009, 9:09 pm
Amanda says:
Thank you TM. This is beautifully written, it bought me to tears every now and then.

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009, 8:42 pm
Maria says:
Wow. Very well done. Thanks to TM for capturing a realistic account of the event and not making us look like a bunch of Yay-whos.

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