Anyone who knows me know that I am pretty crazy-go-nuts about my alma mater, Texas A&M. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of knowing about A&M, it’s sort of like a cult mixed with a service academy (like West Point or Navy). It started as a military school, and has only been open to non-Corps of Cadets students and women for a few decades now, so as a result, the virtues of service, leadership, patriotism, and loyalty are very strongly taught throughout the school. We also have our own set of vocabulary and rites of passage that students must go through, most of which seem absolutely insane to outsiders. I know that most major universities have traditions, but trust me… They’ve got NOTHING on A&M. We even have several organizations dedicated to ensuring that students (and non-students) are educated about Aggie traditions and are adhering to them in the right way.
One of my favorite traditions is Aggie Muster. Held every April 21 (which is also the anniversary of Texas’ independence), it began in 1883 as a “field day” where all the students would gather together to play games, compete in friendly competition, relax, and reminisce with former students (we have no alumni, only former students). Over the years it became a day where Aggies across the world would gather together to remember their time at A&M. It is often said, “If there is an A&M man in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.”
So what happens at Muster? Quite a few things!
The day begins with a huge barbecue for the 50-year reunion class (so the class of 1958 will be gathering today) in the center of campus. Student performance groups come out and do their routines, campus tours are given, and current students are encouraged to mix with former students and talk about how the school has changed (or in many cases, hasn’t changed at all!).
A Remembrance display is put up in the middle of the MSC (our “student union”) with personal effects from Aggies who have died the previous year, including pictures, senior boots, Aggie rings, old corps outfits, and sometimes video displays about their lives. The names of these fallen Aggies makes up the “Roll Call for the Absent,” which will be read later that night.
At 7 PM, everyone gathers at Reed Arena, with the 50-year reunion class seated on the floor, as well as the family members and friends of the fallen Aggies who make up the Roll Call. The night begins with a few speeches from the outgoing Student Body President, the university President, the Muster chairperson, and a special keynote speaker who is typically a highly accomplished former student.
At one point the lights are dimmed, and a candle is lit in the front of the arena. Each name from the Roll Call is read aloud, and all those who are present who knew the fallen Aggie call aloud “Here,” to signify that although they are gone in body, they are present in spirit. A family member or friend comes forward to light a candle in their name, until all the names have been read, and a circle of candles rings the arena. Then a familiar poem is read….
In many lands and climes this April day
Proud sons of Texas A&M unite.
Our loyalty to country, school, we pray,
and seal our pact with bond of common might.
We live again those happy days of yore
on campus, field, in classroom, dorm, at drill
Fond memory brings a sigh — but nothing more;
Now we are men and life’s a greater thrill,
On Corregidor 65 years ago today
A band of gallant Aggies, led by Moore,
Held simple rites which led to us doth all to say:
The spirit shall prevail through cannon roar.
Before we part and go upon our way,
We pause to honor those we knew so well;
The old familiar faces we miss so much today
Left cherished recollections that time cannot dispel.
Softly call the Muster,
Let comrade answer, “Here!”
Their spirits hover ‘round us
As if to bring us cheer!
Mark them ‘present’ in our hearts.
We’ll meet some other day
There is no death, but life eterne
For our old friends such as they!
Then the Ross Volunteers, an elite group of the Corps of Cadets, come forward to perform a 21-gun salute, and taps is played three times – once to the north, once to the south, once to the west, but not to the east, to signify that the sun will never rise on those Aggies again. A member of the 50-year reunion class comes forward to adjourn Muster for the year, and declare that we shall all meet again on April 21st the following year.
Muster is very special to me because it seems like not a year goes by that a member of the Aggie family that I knew passes away. Many, many, many of my friends from A&M who were in the corps are now serving in Iraq (A&M provides more officers to the armed forces than any other university), and we have lost a lot of good men. It’s also special to me because I know that one day, my name will also be read at Muster, and my friends will answer “Here” for me.
Here are a few photos from the campus Muster that I took when I was a student:
A flyer I made for the Muster Committee with photos of the Muster statue
A moment before the 2006 Muster ceremony, with a ray of sunlight peeking in through a door onto two candleholders. I love this one because you really get the feeling that the Aggie they were there to honor was truly there in spirit.
Former president of A&M, current Secretary of State, a man I have met with many times and learned so much from, and then man who handed me my diploma – Robert M. Gates, speaking at the 06 Muster.
Some photos of the candleholders…
The ring of candleholders, with the 21-gun salute firing in the front of the arena
A closeup of the 21-gun salute
So, Happy Muster to all my fellow Ags, Happy Birthday to the Republic of Texas for all my fellow Texans, and Happy April 21st to everyone else. :) If you’d like to learn more about Muster, check out Wikipedia or the official Muster website.
