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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1989)
Page 2E The Battalion Monday, August 28,1989 Softly call the muster Comrades answer, ‘here’ for Aggies on April 21 who have died within year By Mia B. Moody Of The Battalion Staff Muster is more than just a ceremony; it is a way for alumni to relive the victories and defeats won and lost upon drill ground and in classrooms during their col lege days. The first Muster was held June 26, 1883 at an Aggie get-together. One member of the group had died dur ing the previous year, and when roll was called, a friend answered for him. In the early 1900s, the observation of Muster was changed to April 21, San Jacinto Day, in commemora tion of the battle that won independence for Texas 150 years ago. Every April 21, Aggies gather throughout the world to pay homage to all students and former stu dents who have died during the year. Muster achieved national fame during World War II. A group of Aggies stationed on Corregidor Island in the Philippines gathered in an underground shelter while the Japanese dropped bombs overhead. Fifteen days later, the island fell to the Japanese and all the sol diers were either captured or killed. The main ceremony of the worldwide observance is held on the A&M campus. A roll call is read for those who have passed away. As each name is called, a candle is lighted and a comrade answers “here.” This response symbolizes that even though the Aggie is no longer pre sent in body, he is present in spirit. Muster is more than a ceremony; it represents a pledge and responsibility of A&M men and women that has been handed from generation to generation. It is a way for students to renew their loyalty and unity, which constitute the basic foundation of their relationships with each other and their love and devotion for the University. An unidentified woman expresses her sorrow for a loved one during the roll call portion of Aggie Muster 1989. During muster, Aggies re member those who died during the year. Silver taps unites all Aggies to remember those who died By Richard Tijerina Of The Battalion Staff During Muster, A&M students light a candle and answer ‘here’ for those whose names are read during a roll call for A&M students and Battalion file photos former students who have died during the year (above). Ross Volunteers fire a 21-gun salute at the ceremony (below). On the first Tuesday of every month, a mass of silent Aggies gather together in the heart of cam-* pus in front of the Academic Build ing to say a final farewell to fellow students who have died during the month. One of the oldest Aggie tradi tions, Silver Taps as it is known to day, has been pieced together over time. Its complete history remains unknown, but according to legend, the first Silver Taps was held in 1898 for former Texas governor Law rence Sullivan Ross, president of Texas A&M from 1891 to 1898. Sil ver Taps has been held at the Aca demic Building, near a statue of Ross, since 1918. During the ceremony, the area immediately behind the statue is re served for family and friends of the A&M student being honored. All around the area, the crowd who has gathered solemnly waits in the dark ened campus for the Ross Volunteer firing squad. At 10:30 p.m. the firing squad begins its 21-gun salute and after the third volley, six buglers play “Taps.” “ l aps” sounds three times-® to the north, once to theeasta once to the west — and then crowd of silent Aggies leave. The ing squad remains in position.Cn ually the lights come on again. 'The ceremony is held the sec® Tuesday in September for Aj$ who have died during the sum® On the day of every Silver Taps,4 names of the deceased Aggies e f iosted on the base of the flagpolcl ront of the Academic Building! tices of the ceremony also are pc in several places around campus eluding in front of Sbisa Dining! and the Memorial Student CenttiJ The ceremony can have (] effect for those who experien«| for the first time. In October 1 an A&M freshman wrote thisl®l about Silver Taps to his paren! | | best describes the solemn event: “Dear Mom and Dad, “Right now it’s 11:00 and Call Quarters is over. I should be in hi but there’s something I havetol you both first. I’m sitting hereati desk with tears in my eyes andthil ing more about life itself thanlcl have before. “I’m not crying because of* I’m going through — but rather Continued on Page9E- ADVERTISINCi INDEX TRADITIONS I SECTION E Food 4 Less ^ Franklin Federal 1 Houston Chronicle ^ Joses/Zarape Kaplan Off Campus Center Prof Computing Bothers Bookstore Seott & White ^ Taco Cabana , The Grapevine 31 Treats ^ United National Bank Waist Basket Battalion file photos