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Aggie
Mom Experiences |
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Topic: Muster |
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Submitted by Linda Tieken, '06 Aggie Mom |
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I attended the Muster at the
Texas A&M campus last night and I wanted to write down some of my
thoughts about my experience. I had wanted to attend Muster, but just
didn't get around to it until my son's senior year. I thought I pretty
much knew what to expect and technically, that was true. However, it
turned out to be a much more complex experience than I had imagined.
It began as expected, Aggies, family members, etc. filing in and filling
Reed arena. The Singing Cadets, other choral groups from A&M, the
Corps, members of the class of '56 returning for their 50th
reunion. Families seated on the floor of Reed arena come to honor and
grieve for a lost son, daughter, father, mother or maybe friend. We
began with songs - all the standards for an Aggie gathering. There were
welcomes, speakers and a wonderful reminiscence of the Class of '56.
Then we got to the heart of the evening - the Roll Call.
Two student members of the Muster committee stood and slowly and
reverently called the name and class year of each Aggie who had passed
away since the last Muster. The lights were turned off except for those
on the speakers and people holding candles lined the floor of Reed
arena. As the first name was called, the first candle was lit and in
succession, the other candles illuminated with the calling of the
names. They began with the class of '09 freshmen. It was striking to
hear the voices of perhaps a mom and dad answering here for their
beloved child. Too many names from all of the current classes. They
went on - year after year. Each name answered with at least one voice
responding here. The names were called from the class of '56 and the
voices of those gathered for their 50th
reunion all answered in unison for each of their classmates called. So
many voices, men in their seventies, come to honor and answer for those
no longer here. The names continued to be called and finally a
gentleman from the class of 30 was the final former student. Several
voices responded for him - here. That man would have been around 96
years old when he died.
So many thoughts came to me. Too many students passed away. I believe
one of them hadn't actually begun classes at A&M - had only been
accepted, but still considered a member of the Aggie family - called and
remembered. A former student who had graduated 76 years ago was
honored. It didn't matter how long you'd been gone from campus or how
old you were. This Aggie family would never forget you. You and your
family would be honored on this Muster Day. The final thought I had as
I sat crying next to my own Aggie son is that, one day, hopefully many,
many years from now, his name would be called at Muster. It was a jolt
and yet oddly comforting to know that, no matter when, no matter where,
he would not be forgotten. He really does have this other family who
will always welcome him home.
I'm so glad I went. I think I finally get it.
Linda Tieken |
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