Muster is a fuckin joke. Don't call my name at that shit. I don't want to be associated with this school or its solipsistic traditions. I don't care about fallen aggies, and I don't want aggies to care about me. It's to my credit if none of you idiots ever speak my name once I'm dead and gone.

class of '09

Out of respect for all Aggies, please delete the 2 posts above.

It hard to ignore the fact that A&M does have characteristics common to religious death cults.

Although Muster isn't much more than a combination of the full year's Silver Taps, the fact is, today is the most anticipated and possibly dreaded day in Aggieland. Students and speakers look forward to the moving ceremony and the camaraderie the event brings, knowing that they are joining Aggies around the world in celebrating the same event; and yet family and friends dread the fact that today is similar to a second funeral. Hopefully those same family and friends that must 're-bury' their loved ones can take solace in the fact that, this time, they are surrounded by people who've they've never met, yet share their same grief.

Muster serves the purpose of bringing closer the already close-knit Aggie family (although every family does have its black sheep, as evidenced in a few of the above posts).

Where schools like Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois fall short, commemorating the fallen only after an on-campus tragedy, Texas A&M excells. Regardless of any given year's events pertaining to the Texas A&M campus and family, Muster goes on. And although we are grieved by the fact that we are without those we lost in the previous year, we are comforted by the fact that they are ever-present in the hearts and minds and memories surrounding masses and the single, soft "Here" keeps them in our presence and their memory alive if only for that much longer.


In many lands and climes this April Day
Proud sons of Texas A&M unite.
Our loyalty to country, school, we pray,
And seal our pact with bond of common might.
We live again those happy days of yore
On campus, field, in classroom, dorm, at drill.
Fond memory brings a sigh -- but nothing more;
Now we are men and life's a greater thrill,

Before we part and go upon our way,
We pause to honor those we knew so well;
The old familiar faces we miss so much today
Left cherished recollections that time cannot dispel.

Softly call the Muster,
Let comrade answer, "Here!"
Their spirits hover 'round us
As if to bring us cheer!

Mark them present in our hearts.
We'll meet some other day
There is no death, but life eterne
For old friends such as they!

I am an Aggie - and my father is an Aggie. My father served his country because he believed that even people like "true aggie" had the right to speak their minds. I only hope "true aggie" has someone someday to speak for him as I will answer for my father tonight.

Although it has been more than twenty years since my Dad's death, I will never forget the solace I got from going to Aggie Muster that year. When my brother-in-law answered "Here" for Dad, I knew he would never leave me. So long as thought and memory remain, no one ever dies. The Aggie Muster tradition keeps those memories alive.
Proud to be the daughter of an Aggie (Class of '59).
Proud to be an Aggie (Class of '85).

Don't feed trolls
For some reason comments and forums bring out what we call Trolls. These are people who say inflammatory things to get a rise out of people. Don't feed the trolls, do not respond to them, eventually they will go back to the bride from were they crawled out from.

Couldn't find a friend's name on the list so i'll just call his name now.

Curtis James Fletcher '04

He's probably the only mentor i've ever had in my life. Back when i was just the lonely international student in the corner, he was the only person around that helped me out and befriended me. He opened my world and gave me the hope and confidence i have today.

Where i am now in my major, study, research and even my life goals , i owe it all to him.

Thank-you. We all miss you but we will always carry a part of you in us.

Ed Chan
Class of '05

My daughter is now serving this country in the United States Navy. My husband '74 retired after 28 years in the Army. When the time comes for his Muster, I'm sure he'll be proud to hear us answer, "Here." It is truly sad for so-called trolls.