The Spirit of Aggie Bonfire

 

 

For ninety some odd years it burned

Prior to Thanksgiving,

Logs cut and stacked by Ags alone

Some out of sight and some still living.

 

In ’99 occurred a tragedy

That effected us like none other.

Bonfire fell one November morn

Taking from us twelve sisters and brothers.

 

The Twelve who died that morning

While working on our Stack,

Will be remembered by Ags forever

As our thoughts go reeling back.

 

So devastated emotionally we were--

It seemed impossible to recover.

But the Aggie family with Aggie spirit

Came together like no other.

 

It’s said Bonfire symbolizes our burning desire

To “Beat the Hell outta tu!”

But for all with Aggie spirit

It means so much more to Aggies true.

 

The building of Bonfire

Is at the core of Aggie spirit,

It binds us together as one

As we eternally relive it.

 

And when they light Bonfire again

Before 100,000 strong,

The Aggie spirit will be present

In everyone who belongs.

 

We’ll memorialize The Twelve

Too quickly taken from us,

And know they are looking down upon this scene

While their spirits soar among us.

 

We’ll see the torches against the sky

And hear that Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band,

Play forth “The Spirit” and the “War Hymn”

And as always they’ll sound grand.

 

The Yell Leaders will of course be there

The Cadet Corps with Miss Reveille,

And we’ll all know in our hearts

What it means to be an Aggie.

 

We’ll hear “The Last Corps Trip”

With tears filled in our eyes.

As the flames of Bonfire once again

Shoot high into the skies.

 

And the souls of Ags gone before

Along with those in the flesh,

Will all be together once again

To “Yell” and “Whoop” our best.

 

For we all know the spirit of Bonfire

Means more than just the burning,

It’s the truth and honor gained from building

And the Aggie spirit will keep it burning.

 

 

Robert C. Judd, DVM ‘79

ã 2002

 

Posted by permission of the Author.