Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 Aggie Muster i' iyj - 3 ~M44. c tir' {I. _ - s _ Mel - - L ~ o , 2 9e9( Since 1883, April 21st has been the day set aside by all Aggies to celebrate the Spirit of Aggieland. The = tradition of N luster embodies lovalty, integrity, excellence, and respect - the core values of Texas A&M. We remain loyal to those who walked the same campus as we do, we celebrate the integrity and excellence ~ . that each member of the roll call demonstrated, and we come to serve each other and to pay respect. to the family and friends of our absent comrades. No university in the world can match the profound connection and sincere dedication thatAggies hold for each other. l - '16 our honored families, on behalf of the Aggic family' please accept our deepest condolences, and thank you for joining us tonight. Your loss is a loss to the entire Aggie family, and your loved one will not soon be forgotten. Each echo of"Here..." is anotherAggie sharing in remembering your loved one's legacy. '16 the Class of '59, welcome home. Texas A&M is the great university it is today because of the imprint you left here fif y years ago. Your four years here have contributed to the rich history, culture, and Spirit that we honor tonight. We celebrate the legacy you have created, and thank you for sharing this special Aggie day with us. Tonight we are a part of a sacred event occurring all over the world. From the sands in Iraq to meeting halls in east' texas to ballrooms in Ne« York City, Aggies gather on this hallowed day, carrying on the tradition and camaraderie that has been a pivotal part of the Aggie culture for over 130 years. Tonight we gather as the Aggie family, defining the Spirit, reverence, and respect all Aggies hold for each other. Let this be a time to celebrate our past, reflect on the present, and hope for the future of our beloved Texas AM 1. "Sofflv Call the \'luster..." ~VZ7 Jena Bentlcy'08 Chair, Aggie N luster Committee C X owl Al rM/ Prelude Singing Cadets, Women's Chorus, Century Singers, Reveliers Presentation of Colors' Ross Volunteers National Anthem* Texas Aggie Band 'Texas, Our Texas' TexasAggie Band Invocation* Kristen Campbell '10 -Muster Committee Welcoming Remarks Jena Benfley'08 - Chair, Muster Committee Welcome to the University Dr. Elsa A. Murano - President, TexasA6M Universitv Shelley E. Potter'78 - Chair, The Association of Fourier Students John Cowen'94 - President, Brazos CountyA&M Club Mark Gold '09 - President, Texas A&M Student Body "°I'ivelfth Man" Singing Cadets 50" Reunion Class Recognition Matthew Chapa '09 - Muster Committee "Aggie Muster Day" Singing Cadets Introduction of Speaker Andrea Abrams '09 - Muster Committee Muster Speaker Dr. Robert M. Gates "Spirit of Aggieland" Texas Aggie Band "Roll Call for the Absent" Monica Lewis '09 - Muster Committee Roll Call Lauren Trefny'10 - Muster Committee Dillion Dewald'09 - Muster Committee Rifle Volley'' Ross Volunteers SilverTa s ` SilverTa s Team a M J r N 1- " Auld Lang Syne" Singing Cadets "In Memoriam" Katharine Taylor'10 - Muster Committee Benediction and Closing Jena Bentley'08 - Chair, Muster Committee Colonel Harvey Haas ' 59 - Class Agent, Class of '59 °Tbe audience will please stand as able. 15, NOW file The Muster tradition had its beginnings at a meeting of the Association of Ex-Cadets on June 26,1883. A statement of obiec6ve noted: "In reunion we meet and live over again our college days, the xictories and defeats won and lost upon drill field and classroom. Let every alumni answer a roll call." During the 1890s, the Corps of Cadets made annual visits to the San Jacinto Battlefield, followed by a parade down Houston's Main Streetas celebrations of San Jacinto each April 21st became the custom. In the early 1900s, it was agreed that in addition to honoring the freedom of Texas, April 21st would be a time to pay homage to all students and former students who had passed on, and some living comrade would answer "Here" when the roll call for the absent was read. During World War 1, groups of Aggies met in trenches all over Europe and at Army posts in America, but no April 21st events were held on campus. In 1923, a nationwide rally of former students was planned to provide Aggies an opportunity to "meet old friends again and live over the old days in College Station." Student radio station WTAW broadcasted a special program consisting of a medley of A&M songs, words from football coach DX Bible and Aggic yells by the cadets. The March 1923 Texas Aggie urged, "if there is an A&M man within one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas." By 1929, meeting had become intemational, and, in 1942, A&M Muster gained intemational recognition when 25 men, lead by General George Moore'08, mustered during the Japanese siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. In addition, two Aggies reportedly held Muster in a submarine. And so it has been over the years, since that small group ofAggies on a beleaguered outpost of World \Var I I inspired what has developed into one of our greatest traditions. Muster is more than a ceremony. It represents a pledge and a responsibility thatA&M men and women have handed down from year to year, from generation to generation. It gives us a chance to renew, our loyalty and unity, which constitute the basic foundation of our friendship for each other and our love and devotion for our school. - Dr. John A. Adams, Jr. c5` /,-v 64;9 I x z i s r= ` .~~v ri V r ~av P a ` ey 4 1 i 3 e i t ~ € aw r F r ~r' n s a u a IiL ,p 0 x /I In many lands and climes this April Day Proud sons of Texas A&M unite. Our loyalty to country, school, we pay, And seal our pact with bond of common might. We live again those happy days of yore On campus, field, in classroom, done, at drill. Fond memory brings a sigh - but nothing more; Now we are men and life's a greater thrill, On Corregidor 67 years ago today A band of gallant Aggies, led by Moore, Held simple rites which led to us doth all to say: rlhe spirit shall prevail through cannon roar. Before we part and go upon our way, We pause to honor those we knew so well; I lie old familiar faces we miss so much todayR a 'L Deft cherished recollections that time cannot dispel. Softly call the Muster, Let comrade answer, "Here!" 'their spirits hovcr'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 eteme For old friends such as they! Dr. John Ashton, Class of 1906 S' _ Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 18, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. Before entering his present post, Secretary Gates was the President of Texas A&M University, the nations seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Govemment and Public Service at TexasA&M from 1999 to 2001. Secretary Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 un611993. SecretaryGates is the only career officer in CIAs history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. He served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Sccurih Adviser Lit the White House from 1989 until 1991, for President George H.W Bush. Secretary Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties. Secretary Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has h\ ice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIAs highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. He is the author of the memoir, From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insiders Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, published in 1996. A native of Kansas, Secretary Gates received his bachelor's degree from the College of William and \larv, his master's degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University. In 1967 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and served for a year as an intelligence officer at \\1iiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. (DIJI Alex Rozanski '10 Courtney Jasperson 'll 1,auren 'fi-cfnv'l0 Alexis Collett'll Dillon Dewald'09 Maggie McCartv'10 Ali Walsh'12 Doug Streater'09 Matthew Chapa'09 ,tirdrea Abrams '09 Emily Oliver'10 Matthew Lafon 'll Anna Kelley'll Gage Bennett'll Michelle Hitchcock'09 Bailey Delp'] I Holly Kent'll Monica Levi is'09 Brad Dickens'll Jena Bentley'08 Sarah Kain'09 Brian Scheiwe'll Jill Green'10 StefanicAvilez'10 Cameron Pybus'12 Kit7aylor'10 Tillman Davis'09 Candace Lusk'09 Kristen Campbell'10 1,% 'llle Aggie Muster Committee thanks the following indiNiduals and organizations for their generous contributions to the Muster Endowment. Corregidor Members - 550,000 Candlelight Members - $1,000 Honored Perpetually Honored for 3 years Zachry Construction Corporation The Levin LivingTiust Class of 1995 Roll Call Members - $25,000 To obtain additional in fonnation or donate Honored Perpetually to the Muster Endowment, please write: In Memory of Michael Alan Schmidt'02 TexasA&M Foundation Class of 1986 Mr. & Mrs. John R. Lister'60 401 George Bush Dr. Class of 2008 College Station, TX 77840-2811 htIp://giving.tamu.cdu Mr. & Mrs. BarryAbrams Fish Drill Team Post Oak Florists Bloom Lovely by Jenny Nelson I lard Chord Dyuamix Sam's Club Affordable Morals Metro Mini Storage Units Shipley's Donuts f is Yell Leaders Mr. Wayrie Meyer'67 Dr. Joe Townsend '67 Chimney Hill Florist Nan's Blossom Shop Mr. Robert White'81 Fade to Black Petal Patch Florists Villa Maria Cleaners We want to thank-'Pic Association of Former Students for their annual funding which is provided by the generous donations of thousands of loyal Aggies. A very special thank you to the Brazos CountyA&M club, the staff of Reed Arena, The Texas A&M University President's Office, The Division of Student Affairs, and the students of Texas A&M University. 11 - - L 6PI ik" iI _ r.