Watch this. Grab some tissues too!
A day that I will always remember is November 18, 1999. My roommate woke me up at 5:30am to tell me to turn on the tv. Bonfire had fallen. Students were trapped. We got up and threw some clothes on and headed to campus to see for ourselves. By time we got there the sun was just coming up. It was so busy. Policemen, firemen, students, and volunteers working feverishly to remove the logs one by one in hopes of finding students that are still alive. Students were surrounded by the stack of logs praying and watching in disbelief.
You see Bonfire was an Texas Aggie tradition since 1909. It started with a big bunch of trash and students getting together for a sort of pep-rally to get fired up about the big game the following day. (Texas A&M v. Texas) Years later it was a 55 foot stack... huge... but amazing.
About 2:30 in the morning on this day 8 years ago, the centerpole (the tallest log) snapped. This sent the stack towering down and killing 12 students and injuring 27 others.
I was a sophmore this year. And my freshman year I went to the community college in my hometown so this was my first year at A&M. So I've never seen a Bonfire before, but I will never forget it.
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9 comments:
Wow, that is tragic.
This post gave me goosebumps. That was seriously one of the most emotional days I've ever had. It was awful.
I think it's great of you to remember that day with a post...I hardly ever think about it, but I should.
Oh my goodness. That was awful. I can't imagine being there....
OK, that really was a tear jerker! I remember that day clearly, and I appreciate you posting a clip about it, it was good to remember and think of those loved ones lost!
Thanks for sharing. I was, too, in college, but I don't remember this story! I'm so glad I took the time to watch this....
I was a freshman when this happened, I was living in the dorms, I lived in Krueger on Northside so as soon as my roommate and I heard, we just walked right outside and could see everything! It was so scary. It was my first year at A&M too but I went to the bonfire my senior year of High School so I did get to see one! I think it made the whole thing that more tragic!
I meant my dorm was on Southside, not Northside...typing too fast and wasn't thinking!
It is nice to be able to remember, to be taken back to this time. I will never forget the screaming as we sat helpless behind the orange fence. It was as if time stood still, and for some it actually did. It is funny the things you dont think about every day, but are brought back so vividly once you remember. Thanks, for giving me a reason today to stop, be still, and just pray. All too often, I forget just how precious life is. A little over a month ago, I spent a few minutes with Claire. Again quiet and still realizing just how much of an impact she still has on my life. Our lives have definitely changed in the past 10 years. love you!
I remember that day, too. A&M seemed to change a lot after that. I can't believe it was so long ago now. Thanks for posting this.
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