Traditions

I had the privilege of attending a standing tradition of Texas A&M University called Muster.   My dear friend Vicki, who is the widow of a friend, confident, coach and mentor of mine invited me and my husband to join her and her son to go to this annual tradition that occurs every year on San Jacinto Day.  If you have ever attended Muster, you understand the impact it has on your life, if you haven’t, humor me and read on, even if you are not an Aggie, it will touch your life and give you a new appreciation for the University and those that attended.

When we arrived for the ceremony we were checked in and Vicki was directed to the area of the “fallen” and given a candle.   From there we got dinner and found a seat.   Everyone introduces themselves with their name and the year they graduated from A&M.   The evening began with the typical announcements and orders of business.  There was a speaker that, of course, was an A&M alumni and gave a brief history of Muster.

Muster recognizes those Aggies that have passed in the previous year, in a Roll Call.   Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…. not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect one Aggie to another.  A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit.  Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with each other; it reminds each of the greatness that lies within the walls, of the loyalty each possess, of the connection that binds everyone and the idea that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit.

Then it gets quite.   Someone else comes to the podium and reads an Aggie Muster Poem, and then it begins.   The Roll Call for the Absent.

Names of those that have passed over the last year are called with the year they graduated from Texas A&M University, and their families and loved ones answer “here”.  They then go to a lit unity candle, light their candle and stand in the background forming a circle around the crowd.  This continues until all names have been called.  The process is powerful, emotional and leaves a lump in your throat.

In the end, there is a circle surrounding you of lit candles, and I have lost count of the number of fallen Aggies.  It’s all a blur from the tears falling from my eyes and the tug in my heart.

“Aggie Muster” is celebrated in more than 300 places worldwide on April 21st, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.  I know of no other University that does this, but if there is, I will surely hear about it today.

I am touched by this tradition, honored to have been a part of it, and proud to have known my dear friend Bob, who wore his Aggie ring with honor.