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Students at Texas A & M die while building the Bonfire. I have heard 2 different Numbers, one report said 3 students, another report said 6 students died. Both news reports said about 75 students were injured. They are having campus wide room checks to see who is missing as more student may be buried under the logs.
bttt
Hotline # to see if your child is ok:::: 409-845-2217
bttt. This is so sad.
This is unbelievable, first that child fell asleep and killed 4 or 6 kids,
One of the cranes hit the stack, which was at least 50 feet tall and knocked them over. Now saying at least 4 dead, maybe more, do not know how many still burried under the logs.
The CORE are the official builders.
The CORE is part of ROTC, it is Juniors and Seniors. There is a special section of the CORE that builds the bonfire every year. It is considered an honor to build the bonfire.
Please pray for those students and their families. We have 100's from here at A & M.
While this is a great tragedy, I must remark that these students were doing something incredibly stupid. Maybe that explains why no one takes Aggie civil engineering graduates seriously--unless they know how to unclog drains.
I have heard on several TV reports: 4 dead, 25 in hospital, at least 4 still buried underneath. One of those underneath is receiving I.V. and oxygen and one is communicating with the rescue workers. Thousands of people arrived on the scene to give CPR and help.
, I must remark that these students were doing something incredibly stupid
How is building a bonfire with cranes, adults present, stupid. These kids have built a bonfire every year for years. This was not stupidity, it was an accident.
After room checks 50 kids are still missing.
Maybe that explains why no one takes Aggie civil engineering graduates seriously--unless they know how to unclog drains.
You need to grow up.
I say we start a prayer thread for these kids, their families, friends, and the university and city. BUMP
You need to rethink your remarks and apologize to this forum Mr. Otis. To make a crass joke, in the face of parents losing children by an hideous accident, is the height of stupidity and ignorance.
Just for the record, it is the A&M Corps that is responsible for building the bonfire. Not CORE.
Although that is how it is pronounced.
TAMU has a tradition, if the bonfire collapses prematurely UT will defeat them in the Thanksgiving Day game. I assume that this collapse must be a very bad omen for A&M.
The CORPS: Bonfire stacks are limited to 67 feet, after topping 100 feet a generation ago. These students are well trained and supervised, but accidents can happen. A few years ago, the soil under the stack failed to hold the loading and the stack fell, without injury. This time, early reports are that the center pole failed. Crew was all over the stack at the time. There will be many crushing injuries, as painful as any get. What is also fact is that these very Aggies will be proud of the fact that they were there to help each other. That is the strength of Aggies. The construction of Bonfire is an exercise in a difficult real world project. These Ags are young adults, as good as they get.
Silver Taps will be a very sad time.
bump for some Aggie insight. I've been to the building of the bonfire on Friday night before the game. Such an incredible event and now such a sad memory for this class.
Update: 4 confirmed dead, 24+ injured, 2 remain critical. J.P. Patrick Meese believes 4 to six more dead remain in stack to be recovered.
My prayers go out to those injured, that they may be free from pain and recover quickly, and may the families of the dead receive His Divine comfort.
A bonfire is fine, but a 60 foot high stack of logs? C'mon, anybody can see that is an accident waiting to happen. I will pray for the injured and that the officials use more sense in the future.
My local radio station casually reported this morning that because the bonfire was being constructed by drunk students skipping class, that it was probably time to stop this tradition.
Of course, this report is totally false.
Be prepared for more opinion reported as fact.
This annual event has taken place for 90 years. It is carefully planned. All participants attend safety classes before allowed to participate.
A product of homosexual Boy Scout training. They can't even build a fire anymore.
I pray for the families & friends of the students.
The way they were building the bonfire sounds like it was very unsafe. They need to be supervised by a construction engineer with safety being the most important factor.
Why is this kind of thing necessary anyway? It seems to me that building a mountain of logs that size, even with supervision and planning, has got to be inherently dangerous. I understand that they wired,?!?! the logs together, and that there were as many as 50 people on the pile when the center support snapped. This is just flirting with disaster, IMHO. Why do colleges have to be build bigger, more daring bonfires every year in order to outdo their rivalries? Like the cheerleaders who keep building higher and higher human pyramids. Eventually the risks have to outweigh the glory.
My heart goes out to the victims and families of this tragedy, but I have to ask, did it have to happen? You can be sure that there will be lawsuits over this, and universities will likely stop all large bonfires, or maybe even all bonfires, over this.
< sarcasm >Exactly! There is no reason college students should be building 60+ foot tall bonfires. Private citizens have no rational need for such enormous structures. We need a governmental program to limit the size of citizen-made bonfires before more tragedies such as this occur. At the very least, we should have a 5 day waiting period, with registration, background check and design approval by governmental authority.< /sarcasm >
Accidents happen. It isn't our fault. We aren't responsible. People take risks when they dare to accomplish great things. That's partly what makes them great.
Could you refrain from insipid remarks on a thread lamenting the death of young people?
What a jerk!
C'mon, anybody can see that is an accident waiting to happen.
Yeah, well, so is your drive to work in the morning. On the other hand, I assume you accomplish something tangible at work.
The stack topped out at 110 feet in the late sixties, and College Station residents started getting concerned that they were going to set the world on fire and passed an ordinance limiting it to 55 feet.
A lot of students sacrifice their academic and military careers to bonfire every year. Given some of the horseplay that goes on, it is surprising that more injuries haven't happened. A few years ago at the cut site some of the corp members were spraying lighter fluid on each other and lighting it as a practical joke.
Your comments are totally inappropriate and unappreciated by those of us who know that you know not.
1-888-777-6676 for parents to get information.
I heard on Fox that the support pole snapped 14 feet up.
My prayers to the students and familes.
You sir, are a frigging ediot, A&M puts out some of the best engineers in the country, I know, I have hired many of them.
James Otis is truly an idiot.
Press conference now. All speakers are nearly in tears but very professional. Young student still in stack is OK being given an IV. UT students have come to help! A mirical. 5-6 in critical condition 4 in surgery. Crane did not hit stack as was reported earlier. My prayer are with the A&M family.
The only idiot has got to be A&M, and no doubt they will get their butts sued over this stupidity. Where was OSHA? Not there? Don't worry, they will be there now. I can here the phone book pages rustling as the fingers go for the lawyer's names.
Should of hired a union contractor. This never would have happened.
Were the deaths reported earlier false, or are the 5-6 in critical condition in addition to those killed?
I don't mean to be morbid-just trying to sort out the facts. Thanks for the updates.
You are the worst kind of idiot--a liberal idiot. You sound like a stupid union lawyer.
CBS is reporting live at news conference
5 reported confirmed dead..number could go as high as 9.
Bringing in "listening devices" hopefully to locate any other victimes...
. You sound like a stupid union lawyer.
You sound like you helped plan the tower.
I wish !!
4-5 are known dead 4-5 are also in critical condition. Just heard that the student is out of the stack and on his way to the hospital. Numbers dead are not being updated and/or confirmed. The Justice of the Peace is saying more are in stack.
Here are some good links for news of this disaster with live
shots of the bonfire stack. This bonfire is a GREAT tradition at TAMU. Our sons have been involved in previous
ones. Our prayers go out to the families of those injured.
http://www.kamu-tv.org/bonfire99/index.html
http://www.wtaw.com/news/news.htm
http://www.texags.com
Thanks for this great update.
I wish !!
See what I mean? Things are tough all over, but the companies I know that make the best money, have the best people (professionally) and get the best work are all union.
Oh yeah, it's politics, but that's how the big boys get theirs, every time. Aren't you worth it?
Student with "school newspaper" reports she arrived at 2:45 am...Residents of Moses Hall, Aston Hall, 4-5 Corp. groups were there at the time..
St. Joseph's Hospital..13 have bring brought there..3 critical, 1 serious, 1 fair..rest treated and released..One recently rescued is still on way to hospital and has not arrived (condition unknown)
This bonfire is a GREAT tradition at TAMU
Probable correction - This bonfire was a GREAT tradition at TAMU.
You missed your calling if you didn't design and market the Edsel.
I feel sorry for the parents and the families but this is a type of action has a long list of problems which could be tagged to this event. It could have been drinking or just the lack of knowing the proper and safe way of building a fire. Those are the reasons that events like that happen. We have a society that is taking away the training for our young people by hurting the Boy Scouts with social engineering. Maybe those kids would be alive if the adults would stop worrying about their own feelings and start worry about raising responsible children with values. The liberals are taking away the training that could have saved their lives. While your emotion is locked in the terrible event, my passion is set in the area, which could have saved their lives. The bonfire would then have been an event not a funeral. We are raising children that get their driving permits at a later age. I remember driving at age 16. Now they drive around VA at 17 or 18. We are not producing young adults when they go to college. If you want to get upset with something, look at the root causes and because living in grief and pride does not save lives. Building on knowledge and values saves lives. I was pointing out a root cause of the lack of responsible young adults today. We are taking away the institutions which produce responsible young adults. If you want to get angry with someone get angry with a liberal, lawyer, or the ACLU. They are the real killers.
Where was the EPA? Sounds like some serious air pollution (greenhouse gases etc.) going on here.
Boy I would hate to hear that one of my boys died as a result of something so stupid as that "tradition."
To those of you dissing A & M for having a bonfire every year before the Texas - A & M game. I suppose unless you are a Texan you have no sense of loyality and pride in an institution you attend or attended.
My stepfather graduated for Texas A & M after WWII. He and my mother still attend the bonfire and the game every year as do most of the graduates. It is indeed an honor to attend A & M much less graduate.
These were not stupid drunk kids building the bonfire. I also have no respect for someone who accuses who has not been there and has no idea about loyalty, and community, and pride of workmanship, even if it is only a big stack of wood.
Boy I would hate to hear that one of my boys died as a result of something so stupid as that "tradition."
Man you read my thoughts. There is no glory here.
.......Probable correction - This bonfire was a GREAT tradition at TAMU........
I doubt it. Check next year and see.
bmwcycle, sometimes accidents just happen. This is the first accident in 90 years. Some things have nothing to do with parental skills, drinking, maturity, or ......
Placing blame for an ACCIDENT does nothing to help.
Unions are for groupies who can't survive as individuals.
Boy I would hate to hear that one of my boys died as a result of something so stupid as that "tradition."
I can't think of a single thing that I think would be worth one of my sons dieing for, including trying to save my or my spouse's life. This is a sad tragedy. Why does everyone think they have to make a choice between having a tradition and dieing? If your son dies in a car accident does that mean you no longer will drive those stupid cars?
unions/liberals - same description applies
"While this is a great tragedy, I must remark that these students were doing something incredibly stupid. Maybe that explains why no one takes Aggie civil engineering graduates seriously--unless they know how to unclog drains."
This has been a tradition to build the bon fire each year for the past 100 years.( my number for forever) To my knowledge this is the first time there has been injuries..
Most Aggie jokes are just that.. Jokes. Students get a very good education at A&M.
The Aggie home-coming festivities have always been a biggie in these parts. Even if you weren't an Aggie.. It's the big game between UT and A&M. I have those students and their families in my prayers. We have quite a few kids from our community attending A&M.
When you study an accident, you can usually find a cause and a way that it could have been prevented. The growing number of late teens and twenty-year-olds in this country who can not tie their own shoes is growing. The amount of children not leaving home between 18 to 28 is growing in America. We are not promoting self-reliance or teaching it enough. We are growing a large group of dependent post adolescent children in this country who are a danger to us all.
Bonfire is a tradition because it is profound and difficult. Its endurance is that the project teaches teamwork over four years of training. Because Bonfire is a major construction project involving hundreds of tons of timber, for months there are hundreds of young adult students working on this project under the supervision of licensed engineers and professional heavy equipment operators. If this were an easy thing to do, why bother. Aggies will leave doily designs to the pencil necks. The Bonfire strenuous learning experience is worth the risks because life itself is far riskier. Over the last 90 years, these crews would not trade their Bonfire experience for all the perceived safety beaurocrats and lawyers may promise; these young men and women know better.
Class of '82 and '97.
This is a heartbreaking accident.. Bump.
"This is the first accident in 90 years. "
I was close. I said 100 years.
Are you an employer or an employee?
What is your line of work and how much do you make?
Boy I would hate to hear that one of my boys died as a result of something so stupid as that "tradition."
What's really stupid is they apparently have had accidents before. I spend 15 years in construction. I am an absolute believer in the the idea that there is no such thing as accident that happens without a warning. It's a little service provided by the big guy, but you have to pay attention all the time.
How old are you? And does your mother know you're on the internet?
These kids were all Seniors, were in ROTC their first 2 years and were specially trained to build this bonfire.
And no, no tradition is worth a death but as I said before, ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
Is this only a Texas tradition, bonfires before the homecoming game? Even in Junior High we attended the High School bonfire. The private schools have cookouts at their bonfires with even preschoolers invited.
I don't think anyone here is happy about dead or injured kids.
I do believe the "dissing" arises from the fact that if this had occured at an ivy league type college somewhere in the northeast there would be people on this forum, some perhaps from Texas, cracking jokes about liberal kids being unable to design their way out of a paper bag.
You know this is true.
As a result, the demand for reverence in regard to a tragedy at a conservative institution smacks of hypocracy. I guess that's price FR pays for failing to call the truly mindless liberal bashers on the carpet.
And, no I'm not a liberal- far from it. I just prefer debate over stupid attacks. I don't know, maybe some people need to let off steam that way.
Nothing personal, just my opinion, and again I'm sorry about those kids.
"...loyalty, and community, and pride of workmanship..."
Precisely. And that can also relate to our [or at least my] objection to the concept of a global governance.
My heart goes out to the families and fellow students of those killed and injured at A&M. I call one of those A&M graduates "boss", and do so with a tremendous amount of respect.
You Texans with the Alamo mentallity will defend anything to the last person. First, ROTC and seniors can still be irresponsible young adults. We are now in Clinton's army and four years of college can make some bright children but they can still be children. I know two PHD's that can not take care of themselves. Yes it can even happen in Texas.
A couple of links to pictures of previous bonfires:
My daughter, step-son and his wife are all Texas A&M Graduates. The bonfire is a proud tradition of the University and this was clearly an accident. Just like there are limits to what anyone can do to make a car or airplane "safe" - there are limits to what anyone can do to make a huge bonfire safe. BTW, the biggest risk-takers I've ever seen at bonfires are professional firemen ... then again, they have the experience.
I apologize for that last remark. I'm too emotionally tied to this incident and I posted before thinking?
Just learned that they have heard sounds from underneath the logs. So there is still at least 1 young man that needs to be rescued.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. What a terrible tragedy for your school and for college football.
Those who criticize the bonfire simply have no understanding of the pride, tradition and school spirit associated with a rivalry game such as this. And they never will. It's not something you can just explain to someone who hasn't experienced it.
The Texas A&M - Texas rivalry has been one of my favorites from the time I was a kid. One of the reasons is the immense numbers of traditions associated with the game (including the bonfire). If my child were at Texas A&M, I would be proud to have them associated with building the bonfire, assuming all safety precautions have been observed. I would not prohibit them from participating any more than I would keep them out of the marching band in fear of the bus crashing.
As a college football fan, this really tears my heart out. My alma mater plays Florida this weekend in one of the most anticipated games of the year, and yet this tragedy will remain at the front of my mind throughout this year's rivalry week.
There is no way to reconcile the death of a child. However, there are certainly ways of dying which make one more or less grieved. If my child were to die fighting for his country I would ache but at least would know that he gave his life in a worthy endeavor. However, should he die from drinking too much booze in too short a time I would feel that it was a pointless and stupid way to go. I would feel the same way if he died because of some dumb mistake in a project which was essentially pointless though it may have been fun. Heck everybody likes a big fire but a 60 foot pyre?
KPRC (Houston/NBC) reporting that the motion detectors have heard a moaning sound and a tapping sound (the reporter did not know if the moaning and tapping came from the same person or if their are two/more). One crane has been moved to that area to try and reach that person/persons.
KPRC did give the names of those injured but I only caught two..William Davis-serious, Lanny Hayes(sp.)-Fair...None of the other Houston Channels have reported any names.
Hi Lady H
It doesn't stop our hearts from aching for those parents though.
"You Texans with the Alamo mentallity will defend anything to the last person. "
Well, not anything, but Texans and their Alamo ( that's remember the Alamo) mentality is one thing I love about Texas..
It's a Texas Thang and maybe you will never understand and hey, that's okay. Texas is like a whole other country and definatly a state of mind. Sometimes foreigners just don't get it. Come for a visit and I bet you too can be Texanized
Could be why the signs " Don't Mess With Texas" are all over the state.
"It doesn't stop our hearts from aching for those parents though."
You are right about that.. God bless them and wrap his arms around them..
Those who criticize the bonfire simply have no understanding of the pride, tradition and school spirit associated with a rivalry game such as this
I would add that they are probably utilitarians who deny value to anything that transcends their material view of human existence. Conservatism without an abiding reverence for forms, symbols, structure and tradition is spineless and impotent.
11:00 am update from TAMU is that there are 4 fatalities, not 5 as some sources stated. Motion detectors are being used to listen for survivors under the stack. Media contingent has grown and an additional crane (3 total) has been brought to the site to totally disassemble the bonfire.
Local hotels offering free lodging to parents of those killed or injured students are: Hampton Inn, Hilton, La Quinta, and Vineyard Court Executive Suites.
Bonfire 99 has been cancelled.
Thank you for the information, Sakida! I'm praying for them all...
You don't know what you're talking about, James. One of the useless civil engineers you refer to is "in charge" of adding on to The Childrens' Hospital" in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX, one of the most prestigious medical centers in the world.
The annual building of the log tower is a TRADITION of Texas A&M for a pep rally before the Texas A&M/University of Texas game, which will be next week. Tune in and learn something about the school. Take note that the student body stands the whole game, each and every game, ready to go in to play if called upon. It's called the 12th man.
Also take note Bush chose Texas A&M, not the Teasips.
Nov. 18, 1999, 6:58AM • Special information number: 888-777-6676 (A&M parents only, please)
• News, photos from The Battalion -- Aggie daily coverage
A&M students killeds as bonfire collapses
By MICHAEL GRACYZK
Associated Press Writer
COLLEGE STATION -- A 40-foot pyramid of logs assembled for Texas A&M University's traditional pregame bonfire collapsed early today, killing four students and injuring 25.
Sixty to 70 students were on top of the logs when the accident happened at 2:30 a.m. in a field on the northeast corner of the campus, according to university officials. A maximum of 70 students are allowed on the stack at one time.
Rescue workers had pulled four students from the rubble with whom they had made voice contact, said Bart Humphreys, a College Station Fire Department spokesman.
However, cranes were removing the logs gingerly to search for more students. The structure is designed to twist inward and collapse on itself as it burns and officials.
Workers were tapping on logs and ordering spectators to be quiet and not move around so they could hear if anyone was still alive.
"Every piece of wood in that pile is unstable and every piece of wood that moves affects other pieces of lumber," Humphreys said.
Students were gathered near the scene holding hands and praying while the rescue efforts continued.
"The scene right now is a scene of disbelief," said Sallie Turner, editor of the Battalion, the student newspaper. "A lot of the students just feel it's surreal."
Officials did not have an explanation for the collapse, but said engineers would be examining the site. Rusty Thompson, assistant director of the Memorial Student Center and the bonfire faculty adviser, said students told him "there was just a sudden movement. Five to seven seconds and it was on the ground."
At St. Joseph Regional Health Center, spokesman Al Guevara said five students with minor cuts and bruises were treated and released and seven suffering injuries ranging from fractures to internal trauma remained.
Another 13 students were taken to College Station Medical Center, where two were in serious condition with broken bones and 11 others were being treated for minor injuries and were expected to be released, said spokesman Joe Buser.
Officials were performing head counts at the university's residence halls in an effort to account for everybody who may have been working on the structure.
The annual bonfire tradition began 1909 when Texas A&M was still an all-male military academy to get students fired up for the big football game against archrival Texas. The only year the bonfire was not lit was 1963, following President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
With input from professional engineers, students cut the logs and construct the structure themselves over the course of several weeks. Cranes and tractors lift the multiple stacks of full-size logs, then students bale them together.
This year's bonfire was supposed to reach 55 feet and be lit on Thanksgiving night. Students were working on the fourth of six stacks when the accident occurred.
The Aggies are set to play Texas on Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving.
School president Ray Bowen said this year's bonfire will be canceled, but he didn't know if the tradition will be abolished permanently.
"It's a very important tradition to us, but those decisions must be made at a calmer time," he said.
A memorial service was scheduled for 7 p.m.
Ms. Turner said some students support dropping the annual event. "I've spoken to quite a few who say it's not worth it," she said.
"Bonfire is one of most sacred tradition to Texas A&M's campus," Ms. Turner said. "It's one of the status symbols of our university. ... People say this is historic because this is the end of bonfire."
Charles Hill of Crockett told WBAP-AM that his son, Caleb, was on the stack when it fell.
"He happened to be very fortunate. He has only a broken arm and a broken nose. He fell about 50 feet," Hill said. "Caleb is very emotional and very scared. Being part of the tradition, he feels a responsibility for those who have been injured. In a sense his family has been hurt."
The bonfire ceremony usually features performances by the Aggie band, school cheers called "yells," and pep talks by administrators, football players and coaches.
But the project hasn't always been trouble-free: After the first stack collapsed in 1994, a second was built and ignited.
Today's accident was the third disaster related to Texas A&M this fall.
On Sept. 18, five people were killed in the crash of a plane used by the Ags Over Texas skydiving club, often used by Texas A&M University students and alumni.
On Oct. 10, six college students walking to a fraternity party about two miles west of the campus were killed by a pickup truck driver who had fallen asleep, police said. The victims were four students from Baylor University, one from Texas A&M and one from Southwest Texas State.
An emotional Gov. George W. Bush said today his heart goes out to the parents of the students who were killed.
"I just can't imagine what that means to have that happen to them," the governor said in an interview on CNN. "It's sad, it's tough."
Nunya..as in, none of your business. The only honest answer I am willing to give is 1) not enough, and 2) not the line of work I want to be in.
Oops...answered the questions in reverse order. Good thing I didn't tell you what I do...my response would have embarassed me.
This takes a long time to load, so be patient, but it's well worth the wait. It is a 12-hour time-lapse, and starts out as a series of sky shots across A&M, but towards the end zeros in on the bonfire stack: SKYCAM
CORE I thought that was Congerss on Racial Equality.
How is building a bonfire with cranes, adults present, stupid. These kids have built a bonfire
every year for years. This was not stupidity, it was an accident.
A stupid accident. As though the presence or absence of adults would make any kind of difference.
What's it to you? You have never been a business owner is my guess. You have the union mentality that requires three union workers to carry a plastic pipe that one woman can easily handle.
We are not promoting self-reliance or teaching it enough. We are growing
a large group of dependent post adolescent children in this country who are a danger to us all.
Tell me about it. When I was in kindergarten I could already build a buddy-burner, start the fire, and cook myself breakfast from scratch from food I went to the store and bought myself. Early experiments with electricity weren't always so successful, but I learned how to change a fuse at a very early age.
The best action for A&M now is to move over about 100 yards and begin rebuilding the bonfire. Demonstrate the true grit that is Aggie tradition. Build it bigger and better.
You need to rethink your remarks and apologize to this forum Mr. Otis. To make a crass joke, in the face of parents losing children by an hideous accident, is the height of stupidity and ignorance. Otis's elevator obviously doesn't go all the way to the top...
I have learned that according to your mother, you were an "accident".
I am proud of the Alamo mentality. We Texans know when to draw a line in the sand. And unless you have missed it, we circle the wagons and stand together. The wagons have circled.
Whole thing's horrible. Our prayers to the victims and their families. May the Good Lord be with them all.
Thank you SevenDaysinMay.
Houston local radio update:
6 confirmed dead
still digging for 2 believed to be alive.
BTW, great screen name and I've wanted to tell you that often.
Just don't keep trying to building a bigger bonfire, in the middle of the wagons, than the rest of the world. "Pride goeth before the fall".
Say what???
KTRH is reporting that at least 3 more bodies have been removed from the bonfire pile. That brings the current total killed to 9.
You may pay your respects at midnightyell@mail.com. Sorry I can't do links.
Texas A & M has graduated the highest number of Medal of Honor winners.
Sad day for everyone.
Anyone who would make derogatory remarks about a tragedy is not above where he thinks he/she is. Pray for those students and thank GOD your children were not there..
I'm union and my body has taken lasting injuries because of incompetent or careless fellow workers. Have someone put a 4 inch split in your new hardhat while your wearing it and brag about how good they all are.
I attended an A&M bonfire with a friend when I lived in Texas. It was a time of singing and jokes and just generally having fun together. That lives were lost is a great tragedy - let's hope it isn't compounded by reactionaries trying to ban the bonfire altogether.
The university identified four of the dead students as Christopher Breen of Austin; Jerry Self, Arlington; Geramy Frampton of Turlock, Calif.; and Brian McClain of San Antonio. The other two victims' identities were not immediately released.
At least nine students
were killed and 28 injured after a 40-foot pyramid of
logs being assembled for Texas A&M’s traditional
pregame bonfire collapsed early Thursday morning.
Authorities said six bodies were taken from the rubble.
And Kem Bennett, director of Texas Task Force I, a
state-run rescue unit, said he saw at least three more
bodies in the wreckage.
From a West Pointer and Longhorn Dad:
Blessings and love to all Aggies. You share our values as Texans and as soldiers and stir our hearts with your heritage.
Jokes and football rivalry aside, Longhorns and Aggies are the two proudest leaders of the greatest state in the Union!!
By the way, your new Chancellor at A&M is a West Pointer of finest quality...LTG (Ret) Harold Graves, past Superintendent of USMA.
Let the game on 26 Nov be a memorial to your fallen ones and the powerful spirit of both schools!! Go, Aggies! Go, 'Horns!
Greetings from Houston/ =bob=
If more people had the "Alamo mentallity", we would not have the monsters in the White House right now. We would have pride in our nation and our elected officials. We would have pride in our schools. I am proud to live in Texas and I am proud to have the "Alamo mentallity" that makes us different from other states.
God Bless Texas, and may His loving Grace fall upon the grief stricken families of the students who have died, or are injured and missing.
Here's a link for some bonfire history. There were times that the bonfire was actually fire-bombed from planes by students at University of Texas to try and get the bonfire to burn before it was supposed to. Kind of tells you something about the intensity of the rivalry.
Please allow me to endorse your eloquent remarks.
UT Class of '76
How horribly sad! Accidents can happen with just about any activity--can not blame anyone.
We learn to be loyal at an early age. We are loyal to our families and our God at a very early age. Later we support our Elementary, Junior High, and High School. As we grow in body, mind, and spirit we go all out for the College or University we attend. I do have to ask what is loyality and pride of belonging based on?
Tradition, loyality, school spirit, a sense of belonging is all based on traditions, rituals if you will. Pep rallys and bonfires are a football tradition in the south. Every year before homecoming we have a homecoming parade, then the bonfire, which is an expanded pep rally, then the game on Friday night with a Homecoming Queen and her court then the dance is on Saturday night. It has been this way for generations here in Texas.
It is more than pride, it is a commonality linking generations together. A student at the High School I graduated from has much in common with what I did as a student, we have a shared history. That shared history, the traditions, and rituals are what join us all together. It is no different than a Church, Catholics expect to see a Priest in Robes, a Baptist expects to see a Minister in a dark suit. The activities in Junior High and High School also marked rites of passage.
In Elementary School you stood with your parents at the bonfire and parade. In Junior High you stood with your friends and ignored your parents. By the time you got to High School, the only parents there had Elementary School age children. So it goes today. To quote the Lion King "The Circle of Life".
Aggie Code of Honor: Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do they tolerate those who do.
In our imperfect world, I would rather place my only child's life in the hands of a Red Pot at 50 feet building Bonfire than anyone working for Bill Clinton. I know which ones will be heads up, hard working, exuberant, and worthy of trust.
This morning was a terrible accident, to be studied and avoided in the future. These injured and killed young men and women were performing a labor of love with honor. Their changed and lost lives are to be mourned and celebrated. To end Bonfire would be posterity's tragedy.
Most kind. Thank you, and Hook 'Em.
=bob=
I began to cry as I just read this news, been out of touch all day. I am so so sorry for the parents and everyone close to the students. I am so sad for the school and everyone who is close to it.
Several Aggies in the family, my son is at A&M Galveston. Now I know why he was rushed and distracted when I called him earlier about some minor little thing.
Note to anyone who is making pompous opinionated misinformed sniping remarks: go someplace else for awhile and let us grieve. This cuts anyone associated with the accident to the quick. This hurts. Like the school official said, decisions and opinions can be made at a calmer time.
Heavenly love and solace to all who are crying now.
I'm union and my body has taken lasting injuries because of incompetent or careless fellow workers. Have someone put a 4 inch split in your new hardhat while your wearing it and brag about how good they all are.
Where you working for a fly by night, or did you get compensation for the abuse? I bet you got some compensation.
Nunya..as in, none of your business. The only honest answer I am willing to give is 1) not enough, and 2) not the line of work I want to be in.
I appreciate the honesty. I'm glad it's not my business, and I hope you can find something better. Not making enough is a characteristic of someone who should be finding people to work with who are willing to help them make more. Of course, in that case you might not be on your own anymore.
Anyone who would make derogatory remarks about a tragedy is not above where he thinks he/she is. Pray for those students and thank GOD your children were not there..
The clowns at A&M can thank God my kids were not there.
I have learned that according to your mother, you were an "accident".
How lame. I bet you are a graduate of A&M.
How old are you? And does your mother know you're on the internet?
That's hardly worth an apology, given the level of society today.
At this point in time I hear it is 9 dead. I don't care what anybody else thinks, but 9 dead in a situation like this should mark the end of the careers of a number of people. There is no such thing as 'just an accident'. Somebody screwed up. If you don't think so, ask the parents.
You have never been a business owner is my guess
Guess what? You guessed wrong! I can't begin to imagine what else there is you don't know.
"Could you refrain from insipid remarks on a thread lamenting the death of young people?"
Could you refrain from using the death of young people as a cover for pushing your homosexual agenda?
Note to anyone who is making pompous opinionated misinformed sniping remarks: go someplace else for awhile and let us grieve. This cuts anyone associated with the accident to the quick. This hurts. Like the school official said, decisions and opinions can be made at a calmer time.
Thank you GG. Well said. It does hurt, deeply I'm afraid. Freepers flaming us does not help at all. It make the hurt worse.
Stopping the Bonfire would sadden my already saddened friend (A&M class of '72). Dr. Dave made a comment today that I think I should share. "It will be like closing the Tower! You kind of have to be from around here to know what he means.
UT has canceled it's pep really and will hold a candle light vigil instead. It is a sad day for Texas.
My thoughts are with the families tonight.
Dr. Red Duke just said on Houston TV, that more people are killed just DRIVING to the bonfire every year. This was the first time in 89 years this has happened.
Dr. Red Duke is a graduate of Texas A&M and has attended over 50 bonfires. He is a practicing physician in the ER at Hermann Hospital in Houston, and instigated the Life Flight Program.
Dr. Duke was also in the ER 36 years ago in Dallas at Parkland Hospital when JFK, JBC and LHO were brought in.
WELL Dr. Red Duke HAS made ME feel better. I'm sure the familes of the 11 dead WILL feel better now THAT he shared that with the Houston area.
GEE maybe he needs to do a LIBERAL agenda statistics list, I wonder how many guns vs bonfire deaths...
His remarks WILL come back to haunt him...
One of my sons is an A&M student, and while I'm greatly relieved he was not involved, my heart is broken for the families of those injured or killed. A&M is such a wonderful campus, and anywhere you go in College Station, the people are always friendly and courteous. May God comfort and strengthen the families of these students.
No compensation. A reputable firm but the super who should not have been working caused the accident and filed a false report. Fifteen years in construction is no big deal.I've been retired that long. Been Journeyman, steward, forman, general foreman, and superintendant. What's the big deal?
Although not a physician, my first degree is in Zoology. My professional opinion is that you have some sort of bug up your butt. I do not know why you are so foolishly disgraceful, except that you have proven it beyond rebuttal. We literate redneck entrepreneurs wish you well, but you are an ass with problems we don't care about at all.
You are an idiot
What's the big deal?
Exactly.
But then again, look at the post #127. It's amazing some times what crawls out of the cracks.
Do I know you? No.
Do you know me? no.
The guy in #127 knows neither of us, and look at his 'considered intelligent opinion'.
I've been retired that long.
Are you getting any money as a pension of any type as a result of being a union member? Statistically, the vast majority of 'entrepenuer contractors' go belly up in 3 to 5 years and leave nothing for nobody.
Which sounds better to you?
News KHOU is reporting there may be as many as 3 bodies left under the bonfire logs. That will bring the total killed to 12 if true.
Sadly, Bonfire 99 is cancelled. The current material will probably have to be studied and investigated, and I guess there is not enough time to gather more material for another bonfire. Hopefully, they will save the material from this year and build Bonfire 2000 with it.
How can anyone expect a pile of logs to be stable? Why don't they just build a really tall, sturdy frame, cover it with chickenwire, and then stuff it with straw or a combination of flammable materials? Seems like that would be a lot more interesting and a whole lot safer than an oversize campfire.
You've got that right. What comes to mind first is an old saying:"Pale face build great big fire, stand far away; indian build small fire, stand very close." Perhaps it should be modernized a bit. "Texas A&M students build ridiculously big fire, and either get squashed by their own kindling. Indian can build no fire because Texas college students have cut down all the trees." I always wondered why there are so few trees in Texas (mesquite does NOT qualify as anything more than a small shrub). Now I know. It also appears there are no brains at Texas A&M. What a sad and pathetic way to go.
From the wire service;
(AP) — At least nine students were killed when a 40-foot pyramid of logs collapsed at Texas A&M University early Thursday:
— Jerry Self, Arlington
— Jeremy Frampton, Turlock, Calif.
— Bryan McClain, San Antonio
— Christopher Breen, Austin
— Chad Powell, Keller
— Nathan Scott West, Bellaire
— Jamie Hand, Henderson
— Lucas Kimmel, Corpus Christi
— Christopher Lee Heard, Houston
You are simply showing your ignorance in speaking on something you don't understand.
Not cool James. No time for humor here as this is a tragedy, and some good kids got killed.
Maybe that explains why no one takes Aggie civil engineering graduates seriously--unless they know how to unclog drains.
Dude, you blew that one.
I went to what was then North Texas State and we had a fraternity rope pull across a pond on the golf course. This was a great rivalry between the Theta Chi's and the Sigma Nu's, and a spectator, a Theta Chi member got caught up and fell over the bridge and became an invalid. What a shame that these kind of events can cause a tragedy.
You are not a credit to "wherever" you're from.
My deepest sympathies to the families of these young people.
We do not stop wars because some people die to reach the goal, we do not stop driving to work because some of us die on the way there, we do not stop having babies because some of them die in the process, we do not stop reaching for the stars because some spaceships blow up.
So, let those who wish to take the risk do so...and those who don't, not be subjected to ridicule. May God have compassion on their souls.
Mene
Feel better now, Lonestar?
Building an oversized fire when a few smaller towers would be more enjoyable is, if nothing else, a waste of resources. In this case it was a waste of life as well. A PREDICTABLE waste of life. Did that structure look stable to you? How much can be derived from seeing an inferno, roaring so loud that you couldn't possibly hear another person if he was standing right next to you- that is, if you can even see the person next to you, what with all the smoke? Certainly bonfires can be fun, but this was shameful, and served no useful end.
Building such a monstrosity is not an act of nobility; it is not an accomplishment of some sort. It is as absurd as the senior prom in high school and just as meaningless. I have news for you; building a 55 foot tower of logs was an act of stupidity that has resulted in a senseless loss of life.
Exercise great sympathy for the families, if you like. Their loss is immeasurable. Don't waste time defending an absurd, out-of-control tradition or attacking people because they think the tragedy could have been prevented had a little common sense been used. Perhaps one day this tragedy will at the least bear the fruit of teaching future students about the wisdom of moderation. Big is not better.
I won't trouble you further. Pray for the families.
Dittos, Mene. You have eloquently said what I have been thinking.
One can only guess how many people have been injured and killed in man's quest for flight. Mythology tells us that Icarus was the first victim. There were many more to come. But with each attempt and failure, Man came a little closer to the dream.
No doubt, those who dreamed of flight were criticized and taunted by nattering nabobs of negativism who said they were foolish and wasteful. They said, "Man does not belong in the air."
So build your Bonfire, Aggies! Build it this week! Even if it is only 12 feet high, build a Bonfire for '99, and show the world that Aggie Spirit that never quits.
You are not a credit to "wherever" you're from.
Like who are you. You haven't even learned to use italics yet. How uncivilized.
How can anyone expect a pile of logs to be stable?
I understand the last time the tower settled because there are no footings.
Wood is not what it used to be. They should have open the wallets to let some of the moths out so they could afford some artificial core timbers.
Given the air pollution, I am sure a lot of folks down wind will not miss it.
I attended Texas A&M for one year as part of my Air Force training. I will admit, I didn't like it there, and have very few fond memories of the school. The bonfire is not one of those fond memories, either, I thought it was a silly tradition.
On the other hand, it was their tradition, and most of the undergraduates I knew were quite proud of the bonfire - and most of their other traditions. While I may not have enjoyed it, I hope they are able to continue it - assuming they wish to. And, of course, I hope for the best for those injured, and can only feel sorry for the families of those who died.
Drew Garrett
To dare is to live.
These kids dared to strain their abilities. I appauld their effort and feel for their misfortune.
You 'sir,' sound like one that is too scared to dare.
You can read? You are dumb, Gunn.
Final count this morning, Friday 11-19-99, ::::
11 students died
28 hospitalized
3 seriously injured
over 75 students treated and released
Classes held today as usual
A good early morning to you. Because of this Bonfire's lasting impact, I just might get to College Station for Silver Taps 7 December. That and Roll Call are two more honors these flamers would never understand, let alone deserve. Because of such souls, we are in for interesting times ahead.
To dare is to live.
That's gonna sound great in front of the jury. For the sake of A&M, I hope you get to present your case.
You can read? You are dumb, Gunn.
Let me guess, you have a PHD in social studies from A&M!
You always seem to be spoiling for a fight and looking for center stage. How constructive is it to meet the grief of the parents and students of TAMU with ridicule?
In light of all that has happened in the last 24 hours at TAMU, much can be said for the people who replied here. There will always be those who are conservative; they treasure their traditions,no matter what they may be, and defend them. There will always be those who can't wait to use someone else's misfortune to jump on their soap box. Undoubtedly this thread brought more comfort to those who felt this tragedy than words can express. Prayers were offered up to the Lord for their families and friends. Thank you Rose.
I'm tired.
Yesterday was long day here in Aggieland.
I awoke at 6:15 Thursday morning because the phone was ringing. My Mother was calling to make sure I was not harmed in this terrible tragedy.
By 7:00 AM, I was at the Bonfire site, not out of any morbid curiosity, but to be there with the rest of my Aggie family.
I proceeded to attend classes all day, from 8:00 AM till 3:35 PM, not knowing what to think, not knowing what I could do. The whole campus here seemed to be in a daze. From classroom to classroom, I couldn't escape the thoughts of death. In between classes, I couldn't escape the pull of fellowship; so I went back out to the site. This gathering was just something that everyone felt was a necessary part of life here. We couldn't do a damned thing, except pray and hope.
To be an Aggie is to learn about all of the traditions here. Some traditions will never be understood or accepted by outsiders, or even by some of us here. I can remember last year thinking what a horrific waste of man hours this Bonfire tradition was. That's because last year was my first year at Texas A&M University. But, when I stood last year with tens of thousands of people at that same site, I really learned what it is to be a part of this university.
The Aggie Bonfire is one hell of a morale builder. That's its primary reason for being. Students spend countless hours cutting down huge trees (for land owners in the area who have asked that this be done), carefully stacking and securing them, burning the thing down in what is the biggest pep rally I have ever heard of, and then going out to replant trees to replace the ones they used. All of this in the name of pride in our school.
This has gone on for some time, without one fatal incident directly involved in the stacking of the logs. Aggies who are involved in this Bonfire are acutely aware of the dangers involved, and they all have weighed the risks against the benefits.
Something went wrong yesterday. No one knows what, it is too early to tell. Maybe we will never know. So many accusing allegations and just plain crazy theories spread like the fire that was to consume this massive stack of wood in less than a week.
Now, Bonfire will not happen. It's a saddening thought, but I for one can take comfort in the fact that so many prayers for those injured and killed will soar toward heaven Thanksgiving night. That's not to mention all those prayers in the meantime.
As it turns out, I cannot still think of anything that I can do to help the situation. So, I plan to make my way over to the Polo Fields on campus, the site of so much death and injury. I'm going out there to stand. Stand and pray. Stand and wait to be called in as the 12th man.
If you need me, I'll be at the bonfire site.
Received this in an email and wanted to share it.
Dear Fellow Ags -
I write this with a heavy heart following the most tragic day in the
history of the Texas A&M campus. The predictions of a great view
of the Leonid meteor shower had Brazos Valley residents up in the
wee hours this morning. About 4:30am I was sitting out in the back
yard, bundled up with my wife and daughters. We were feeling the
chill of the pre-dawnand watching an incredible meteor show.
I heard sirens in the distance and, for a minute, felt sorry for what
must be another wreck of some kind out on Hwy 6. Then around
5am the phone rang and our A&M world turned upside down.
I stopped by the Bonfire site one evening last week just to take it all in. The enthusiasm, excitement and sense of urgency permeated the whole atmosphere. Although the location had changed from the mid-70's, I remembered that feeling like it was just yesterday. Early this morning, about 75 dedicated Aggie students arrived at the Bonfire site for the midnight to 6am shift of "Push Week". At least 9 of them didn't come home. There are likely at least two more fatalities at this time. I have always felt like I couldn't be a bit more Aggie than I have always been, but that was before I moved to College Station two years ago. The campus family is very closely knit. As we attended the afternoon prayer services and tonight's memorial service, the comfort of being part of this group is hard to describe. The television replays didn't do justice to the student turnout at Reed Arena. Every seat, aisle and free space was taken, building the crowd to about 15,000. A local florist delivered hundreds of long stemmed roses to place in many of the seats. It was a gesture of wanting to do something to help, just as many of us wanted to, but weren't sure just how. Overflow sites included the Archery Room in the Student Recreation Center and the Flag Room in the Memorial Student Center. I understand they were full too. At Reed Arena, Molly and I sat behind parents whose children died today. It was an experience that I can't even begin to describe.
The official party for the ceremony included President George Bush, Lt. Gov. Rick Perry, Don Powell, Chairman of the A&M System Regents, A&M President Ray M. Bowen, Malon Southerland, VP for Student Affairs, Will Hurd, Student Body President, and Rev. Larry Krueger. I hope you got to see part of it on TV.
Administrators in coat and tie sat arm in arm with redpots in muddy jeans. There was not a dry eye in the house. After the service I looked up at the crowd and the entire arena stood in total silence, linked arm in arm as if ready to "saw". However tonight, those Aggie arms were linked in brotherhood of being part of Texas A&M and the "Spirit can ne'er be told". As administrators and President Bush consoled the families and then exited, we stood there in silence. Softly from the back one voice started singing Amazing Grace - then two - then a hundred - then 15,000 joining in unison and then singing it again. This is a special place, my friends, a very special place.
Names Released For Bonfire Casualties
The following nine Texas A&M students have been identified so far, as among the fatalities
from the collapse of the Bonfire stack early this morning (Nov. 18).
* Christopher D. Breen from Austin;
* Jeremy R. Frampton, a senior psychology major from Turlock, Calif.;
* Jamie Hand, a freshman environmental design major from Henderson;
* Christopher Lee Heard, a freshman pre-engineering major from Houston;
* Lucas John Kimmel, freshman biomedical science major from Corpus Christi;
* Bryan A. McClain, a freshman agriculture major from San Antonio;
* Chad A. Powell, a sophomore computer engineering major from Keller;
* Jerry D. Self, a sophomore engineering technology major from Arlington;
* Nathan Scott West, sophomore, ocean engineering major from Bellaire.
Bonfire Memorial Fund Established
Donations can be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive,
College Station, Texas 77840-2811. Make checks payable to Texas A&M
Foundation. In the memo section add "Bonfire Memorial Fund."
In Closing -
It is now 11:59pm on Thursday. After writing this I felt strangely
compelled to drive to campus, to see the Bonfire site. Maybe
this will help me feel better somehow or bring it closer to home
for you. The news is now in that the death toll is up to 11 and
the shock deepens. As I near the Commons area, I am
amazed to see the traffic parked along the curbs. Around the
curve in front of the Administration Building and as far as the
eyes can see there are cars and trucks. I am definitely not
alone in being drawn here. The crowd stunned me, as I would
estimate about 10,000 people surround the site right now.
I notice row after row of satellite trucks, then dozens of huge
piles of neatly stacked dismantled logs. The stack fell toward
Texas Ave and, from my vantage point looks smaller than on
TV. As I compare it to the size of the survival team and
equipment however, it is still about 20 feet tall, even now. As
I walk around the entire perimeter I'm deeply affected.
First there is a log where people have left dozens of
memorial bouquets of fresh flowers. I pass a group of
bonfire "pots" in a circle on one knee praying. Many tears
all through the crowd as the confirmation of the death toll
gets passed around. Another bigger group of students in
a prayer circle. A family heavily laden with sacks of
homemade sandwiches - the mother saying, "We just
drove these in from Houston. We felt like we had to do
something to help our Aggies." Heavy equipment is
everywhere. Large groups looking on from various spots
to get a better view of the seemingly hundreds of crisis
workers at the site. I see a student group sitting in a circle
around several lighted candles - singing some praise
songs. Oh, yeah - then three hearses waiting in the
shadows of the east side. Several pick up trucks positioned
with guys standing on the roofs looking through cameras
with huge telephoto lenses. Another very large group of
students and then another. Next to the stack there is a
huge Bryan FD ladder truck fully extended with 3 firemen
surveying from above, directing the next rescue move.
Then a precision claw contraption removes a log with what
appears the skill of surgeon. Big yellow media tents fill the
south side of the site. I walk further and a student with cold
bottles of water works through the crowd giving them away
with a smile. As I leave, I'm overcome with emotion at the
pain shared and the visible bonds of friendship. Please
keep the parents of the injured and deceased students,
as well as the entire campus, in your prayers.
Miles Marks
Executive Director
12th Man Foundation
Thanks for the post, Dave.
Our prayers go with you.
Bonfire Bump
=bob=
The following is a message that was posted to the CNN.com web board by the Vice President of the student body at the University of Texas at Austin.
"I had the great privilege of attending the memorial service at A&M tonight and was deeply moved by the events I experienced. The A&M student body is truly one of the great treasures of our State. As part of the UT delegation, we sat on the floor of Reed Arena, and immediately following the end of the service, I heard this rustling sound behind me.
I looked over my shoulder and saw the sight of close to 20,000 students spontaneously putting their arms on their neighbor's shoulders, forming a great circle around the arena. The mass stood there in a pin-drop silence for close to five minutes, then, from somewhere, someone began to hum quietly the hymn "Amazing Grace". Within seconds, the whole arena was singing. I tried too--I choked, I cried. This event brought me to tears.
It was one if not the most defining moment of my college career. I learned something tonight. For all us Longhorns 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. "
----UT Student Body Vice President
You always seem to be spoiling for a fight and looking for center stage. How constructive is it to meet the grief of the parents and students of TAMU with ridicule?
I tell them what I think, at least I'm not chasing the ambulances like some who would pretend to be sympathetic.
The only real grief is in the homes of the dead and injured. If A&M was sincere about the welfare of their students this would not have happened. There is no excuse for them.
Without a doubt, your sanctimoniously oh so sincere kind will be bringing them enough grief to make them remember that they have resposibilities to their students.
I bet you don't want to speculate on how much money your bosses class will make on scourging A&M. It is not my line of work.
My bosses?
This afternoon, the number of roses around the old Bonfire site seemed to rival the number of logs.
It is as beautiful as it is somber and heartbreaking.
The News of Texas has just reported that a 12th student has died at St. Joseph's Hospital.
bump
Did you get the name?
The Houston Chronicle is reporting today that Tim Kerlee, 17, of Bartlett, Tenn., died Friday evening at 8 p.m. He had internal injuries, a crushed pelvis and broken arm, and was the 12th A&M student to die from the bonfire collapse.
Victims of bonfire tragedy recalledSaturday, November 20, 1999 The Associated Press
Chad Powell was a natural leader - an Eagle Scout and valedictorian of his Keller High School class - so his death at Texas A&M University's bonfire construction site was especially painful for those who saw it as a tragic loss of potential. Powell "was a great kid to know, and he had a great sense of humor, and also knew that he was a leader and assumed those responsibilities," said his former principal, Randy Baker. The computer engineering major was typical of the 11 people who died when the mountain of logs collapsed early Thursday, said friends and loved ones. The victims included honor students, members of the Corps of Cadets, and others who were respected on campus. Powell was an avid rock-climber, so it was no surprise he was helping as a freshman coordinator of the bonfire project, said Julie Zwahr, a family friend and spokeswoman for the Keller Independent School District. "He would never ask anyone to climb up there if he wasn't willing to do it himself," she said. In high school, Powell was president of the National Honor Society, a National Merit Scholar and a member of the academic decathlon team that finished third in the state last year. The 19-year-old hoped one day to open a computer store and design software. "He died giving himself as he had lived," Powell's parents, Greg and Jill, said in a brief statement. Other victims included: l l l Michael Ebanks, a 1999 graduate of Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, had a passion for two things: Aggies and airplanes. The 19-year-old earned his private pilot's license last year and took honors courses in high school so he could attend Texas A&M, where he was a major in aerospace studies. Ebanks also won a first-place award during his senior year in a national competition of the Distributive Education Clubs of America, or DECA. High school principal Lee Alvoid said Ebanks had a great sense of humor. "He was always with a group of friends, laughing and smiling. He had a great smile." Ms. Alvoid said the death is particularly tragic for Ebanks' family, who lost an older son, a graduate of Texas A&M, in a traffic accident several years ago. l l l Jamie Hand, a freshman environmental design major from Henderson, was known for her athletic, academic and artistic talents. She was a cheerleader in high school, earning All-America and all-star honors. She served on the school's student council and yearbook staff and was a member of the National Honor Society. "She did everything she did with everything she had. She had a zest for life," said Jo Velvin, superintendent of Henderson public schools. The 19-year-old also sang at church with her sisters and was an artist. Hand's father told the Henderson Daily News that his daughter was a proud Aggie. "She loved what she was doing," Larry Hand said. "She loved being down there at school." l l l Jeremy Frampton, 22, loved sports, hunting and tradition. The Turlock, Calif., native graduated in the top 20 percent of his high school class. Teachers remember him as a positive-minded student driven to succeed. One friend says he was "the type of guy that moms really liked." Frampton had participated in the bonfire tradition for the past five years, family members say. This year, the senior psychology major was a "brown pot" - one of the handful of supervisors charged with overseeing construction of the bonfire. "If Jeremy were standing here, he would tell you (the) bonfire should continue," said his older brother, Scott Frampton, also an A&M alumnus. "He would say, 'Build it higher, make it burn longer.' That's just how he felt about it." l l l Jerry Self, 20, a sophomore engineering technology major from Arlington, is remembered for his school spirit. He was on the Arlington Lamar High School student council and the Spanish club, on the track team and the varsity football team. An offensive lineman who didn't always get much playing time, Self is remembered by coaches and teachers as one who could be counted on. "You always ask, 'Why do things like this happen to a good kid like Jerry?' But those are the kids that always get in and get involved," said Gayle Nelson, a teacher who was Self's student council sponsor. Self planned to become an electrical engineer after completing a stint with the Air Force. l l l Bryan Allan McClain, 19, grew up in northeast San Antonio and attended Madison High School, where he was a swim team member for four years and captain his senior year. McClain is remembered by neighbors and school officials as a respectful, clean-cut young man and a good student. He graduated from Madison in 1998. At Texas A&M University his major was listed as agriculture, but friends said he was interested in a career as an entomologist. At the tradition-rich university, McClain realized his dream of joining the Corps of Cadets. Agronomy professor Dudley Smith said McClain's quiet and unassuming manner made him stand out. "He symbolized the dedication of a Corps member," Smith said. "He was always in uniform. He was always very neat. 'Yes, sir. No, sir.' All of that." l l l Christopher Lee Heard, 19, a freshman and pre-engineering major from Houston, dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL commando like his father. His uncle, Lindy Heard, said his nephew was named outstanding senior military cadet upon his 1999 graduation from Marine Military Academy, a private military prep school in Harlingen. He was attending A&M on a full scholarship. "He was an all-around good person," said retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. James Hager, who supervised Heard at MMA. "He was hard but fair, and he never lost sight of how he started out as a private and had to work his way up, so he could identify with the first-year cadets. "And he had a hell of a sense of humor." l l l Miranda Adams, 19, a sophomore biomedical sciences major from Santa Fe, was studying to be a pediatrician. At Santa Fe High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and band, principal Gary Causey said. "She was a good citizen, the kind of kid that you wish all your student body was made up of," he said. Miss Adams was similarly active at A&M, serving as a co-chairwoman of the group planning the bonfire. "She was very excited about it," said Debbie Wentzel, a teaching assistant at Santa Fe Intermediate School who works with Miss Adams' mother, Carolyn. "Her family hadn't made any Thanksgiving plans definite because of the bonfire and Miranda being involved in it. It was her big thing." l l l Nathan Scott West was a competitive swimmer who planned on a career in oceanography. The 19-year-old already had a head start among his peers as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. West, a sophomore from the Houston suburb of Bellaire, scored more than 1,400 on the SAT and graduated 18th in a class of 387 seniors at Westbury High School. "He was academically competent beyond belief," said Michael Moore, a Westbury science teacher. West moved to the A&M Corps of Cadets from the Boy Scouts, with whom he once helped refurbish the inner-city cemetery where Civil War hero Dick Dowling is buried. l l l Lucas Kimmel was following a family tradition at Texas A&M, the school both his father and brother attended. Kimmel, who turned 19 on Sunday, graduated from Tuloso-Midway High School in Corpus Christi in May. The freshman biomedical science major was attending the school on several scholarships, including an ROTC award. He hoped to become a veterinarian. He also was a member of the university's Corps of Cadets. In high school, he ran track and was on the swim team. He was a member of 4-H, the National Honor Society, and was an Eagle Scout. Friends said the smart, outgoing athlete liked to make people laugh. "He was just our team clown, always so funny and so full of life," said Dee Hargis, Kimmel's swim coach and friend. "There was never a dull moment with him around. We would go to a restaurant and he would put a spoon on his nose and two spoons on his ears. He always wanted to make people laugh." l l l Christopher Breen, 25, graduated from A&M in 1997 with a degree in agricultural development. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets in 1992-96, and was the son of University of Texas civil engineering professor John Breen. As a senior, he was the senior coordinator for the bonfire as a brown pot. He lived in Austin and was visiting College Station to work on the bonfire when the accident happened. Friends said he was a passionate about the annual tradition. "You could tell during the fall semester that the bonfire was his life," said former classmate Manda Hays. "He took care of things, kept the guys in order."
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I, along with many others here in Texas, are still in a state of shock over this tragic incident. Most federal and state flags are at half-staff, and I see many more folks than normal wearing A & M emblazed clothing, in what I percieve as somewhat of a memorial
I guess the thing that bothers me the most is that even while the rescue efforts were still underway, others had started to make judgements on this situation. Mind you, severe scrutiny should be conducted on why it happened, and possibly if this tradition should even continue. But everyone should at least allow the families and friends of the victims a respectable time of mourning and recovery before the finger pointing begins.
I saw a comment on the local news channel this morning that I thought very profound (paraphrase):
"If the people who originally started this tradition were to know what would tragically result 90 years later, they would most likely have never started it,
however, if it were possible to ask the victims of this years tragedy, they would most likely insist that it continue"
...if it were possible to ask the victims of this years tragedy, they would most likely insist that it continue"
I've appreciated Bart's updates and this seems to be an appropriate statement.
As a tribute the students who were killed and injured I'd like to try to say why the bonfire at A&M is so important. That is, it's a way to get involved in something bigger than we are as individuals. The logistics of cutting the logs, getting them from the cutting area to campus, and getting them stacked in the time available seems impossible and perhaps foolish when you're an adult, but if there's something you really want to do, there's no stopping you, whatever your age. This is something Aggies learn from working on the bonfire and may be unique at this school, although it's not listed in the college catalog as part of the official curricula. Indeed, it continues the spirit that enabled us to win wars and build a nation.
I'm a proud Aggie and mourn this tragedy and loss. I was at A&M from '60 to '64 and received a degree in electrical engineering. I sure hope the bonfire tradition continues.
Gig'em Aggies!
That didn't work. Go to
http://people.tamu.edu/~sar4110/bonfire/poster2.html
for some great pics of a previous bonfire.
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