Tonight, December 7, 1999 six buglers will ascend to the top of the Academic Building, prepared to play an unwritten arrangement by Colonel Dunn that has been passed down for over  sixty years.  Fellow students will walk in stunned silence toward the Academic Plaza as darkness covers Aggieland.  At 10:30 o'clock the Firing Squad of the Governors' Honor Guard will march in slow cadence to the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross. Three volleys will be fired.  Silver Taps will echo somberly throughout Aggieland.

Tonight, Silver Taps, one of the most revered Aggie traditions, will be performed in honor of the eleven, current students, killed during November's Bonfire tragedy.  It is a tradition many Aggies hold dear, but one they would rather not perform.  For it is a tradition to honor fellow students that have passed since the last Silver Taps.  This tradition is one that many Aggies feel, makes Texas A&M so special.  It bonds all of Aggieland, and makes it unique.  This is one tradition that will never be in danger of ending.

Aggies to be Honored Tonight

Jeremy Frampton Turlock, California Senior psychology major Lucas Kimmel Corpus Christi Freshman biomedical science major Bryan McClain San Antonio Freshman agriculture major Nathan West Bellaire Sophomore oceanography major Chad Powell Keller Sophomore computer engineering major Miranda Adams Pasadena Sophomore biomedical science major Michael Ebanks Hometown unavailable Freshman aerospace engineering major Jamie Hand Henderson Freshman environmental design major Jerry Self  Arlington Sophomore engineering technology major Christopher Lee Heard Houston Freshman petroleum engineering major Timothy Doran Kerlee Bartlerr, Tenn. Sophomore Christopher Breen Austin Class of 1996 Graduated in 1996, therefore will not be honored tonight

Silver Taps at A&M
By Mrs. Jeanette Hennigan �.

You hear about the Aggie Band
And the Spirit of Aggieland.
But few have heard the Farewell Hymn
Of Silver Taps at A&M

All day the flag flies at half-mast.
A sign to us of a solemn task,
To bid farewell to one who's gone.
With Silver Taps he's not alone.

The night is dark and very still.
Where Sully stands the area fills
With a silent crowd of those who care.
Their hearts all joined in silent prayer.

The Ross Volunteers, the honor guard,
Speak for us all as their guns discharge.
Twenty-one guns now blast the air
And fade away in the darkness there.

The taps blow loud from the tower near.
And twice again so faint, yet clear.
Like rustling wings of a soul in flight,
Silver Taps fades in the night.

You stand spellbound, you scarcely breathe.
With heavy heart you turn to leave.
Your Aggie friend no more you'll see,
Till Silver Taps is blown for thee.

Silver Taps at A&M
Will always be our farewell hymn
To those who've gone to heights unknown.
With Silver Taps, he journeys on.

Go here to see my main page.

visitors have come to my homepage.

Counter provided by digits.com
 
  If you have comments or suggestions email me at [email protected]