 "Photo: File Photo--The Battalion")
 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
When you have six older siblings who went to the University of Texas at Austin, and a father who is a civil engineering professor there as well, you take a lot of heat if you tell them you plan to attend that other school in College Station. But that's exactly what Christopher Breen, Class of 1996, did.
Breen fit right in at A&M. He joined the Corps of Cadets. He was a member of the A&M Pistol Team, Sailing Club and the Wildlife Biology Association. He also worked on the Bonfire for four years, and was a Brownpot, or safety coordinator, his senior year.
"[Chris] loved the outdoors, which was part of the attraction of Bonfire," said Chris's father, John Breen.
"He was very good with his hands; he was very good with an axe. He was a sort of natural, I think. Plus, he was very active in the Corps, which turned out very strongly for Bonfire activities."
After graduating in 1997 with a degree in agricultural development, Chris worked in Harwood, Texas, before moving back to Austin.
In 1999, Chris returned to the A&M campus to help choose the future leaders of Bonfire. When Bonfire fell at 2:42 a.m., Chris, who was standing atop the fourth tier, was killed instantly.
"He never really was up on Stack much, even when he was active, so it's a classic case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time," John said. "I had one man tell me that he heard the snap and looked at Chris, and Chris knew just what was happening."
Bonfire seemed tailor-made for Chris. Growing up, Chris was active in the Eagle Scouts. Two of his brothers, Michael and Dennis, worked as guides at the Boy Scouts of America high adventure program in Canada. Chris later worked there as a canoe guide.
"I think it was the inspiration of his brothers that got him really interested," John said. "I always remember his Scout master telling me, 'Chris, are you going to go on to be an Eagle Scout?' and Chris said, 'In our family, it's not whether, it's only when.' He loved scouting and he was very good at it. He was a very adventurous person."
Chris was buried wearing his Corps uniform and holding his "Charlie Guide" canoe paddle.
"Chris was very proud of the Corps, and very close to his buddies," John said. "Chris was very much an outdoorsman. You'll notice that on his memorial plaque, he's actually wearing a hat and there's a canoe and pine trees in the background."
When Chris enrolled at A&M, he intended to become a veterinarian, but his plans soon changed.
"Frankly, Chris would have never, ever graduated except for Dean Joe Townsend and Chris Townsend," John said. "They provided him with an opportunity and he ran with it. Dean Joe was very, very influential. Chris was very proud to graduate in Ag Development."
Along with his parents and six brothers and sisters, Chris is survived by 11 nieces and nephews, and John said that after his death, the whole family grew closer.
"Of course, we've had years of grief with the loss of Chris. We miss him very, very much," John said.
"It's one of those things that when you've had a loss like this, it brings you closer. Chris always remained a big part of our family; even our grandchildren who were born after Chris died all talk about him as if he were a living person."
John said that on this year's 10th anniversary, his family will celebrate a private Mass, as they have every year, instead of coming to College Station.
"We'll be thinking of all the others," John said.
"We grieve for them all. Not just the ones who are dead, but the ones who are injured. A lot of them have physical injuries and psychological injuries. It's probably more difficult for some of those families because it isn't over."
Chris' family, in the aftermath of the collapse, felt a lot of hostility toward the Texas A&M administration. As a professional civil engineer, John said the University was irresponsible and filed a complaint with the Texas Board of Engineers. Eventually, Chris' family found closure.
"About a year ago, we had a wonderful invitation with former President Elsa Murano to meet with us. We went down and spent an afternoon meeting with her in her home, and it removed any traces of hostility that me and my wife [Marian] still had," John said. "She did a great deal to bring closure for us. We had a wonderful discussion."
John said he appreciated how the Texas A&M family has tried to support him and his family throughout the previous 10 years.
Breen's memorial Instead of putting quotes from loved ones, or a biography of his life, the Breens decided to put a northwest Indian memorial on death on Chris's memorial. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep.
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