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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 1998)
e Battalion Aggielife Page 3 • Tuesday, October 6, 1998 The tie story by Beth Focht photo illustration by Mike Fuentes §y iel(U nners'Xa 'unat? t h a t m n d s ike at )iver Taps tradition remembers the fallen dent til- tudy: \ BY: H ng frcr: I dderbe | Founds I rtend. Cc i 34-689?l Students forstudat All Fat3 1 AtheWi ■ will befi free nl#* definining moment. Dear Mom and Dad, I’m sitting here at my desk with tears in my eyes and thinking more about life itself than I ever have before. I’m not crying becasue of what I’m goi ng through, but rather because I’ve experienced tonight what A&M is all about. Mother and Dad, we’re one big family here, and now I know what it means to be an Aggie — tonight was Silver Taps ... Tonight I experienced one of the most solemn feelings I’ve ever had and feel so good inside. Mom, Dad, it was just like God Himself was there with us, I guess you’re wishing I would grow up and quit carrying on like this over Silver Taps — but it was so, I can’t ever tell you how it was. There’s nothing else like it. Be careful and I love you both, D.C. Excerpts from a letter from Don Coward to his parents Dec. 12, 1968. Don Coward was killed in a car wreck three weeks after writing this letter. The next Silver Taps was held in his honor. S ilver Taps is one of the oldest and most sacred of all the traditions at Texas A&M University. It is a ceremony held in honor of Aggies who have died while enrolled at the University. On the day of the ceremony, the names of the Aggies to be honored are placed at the base of the flag pole in front of the Academic Building. That night, students gather around the Academic Building and all the lights in the area are extinguished at 10:15 p.m. At 10:30 p.m., the Ross Volunteers march in front of the Academic Building as students stand quietly. The fallen Aggies are then hon ored with a 21-gun salute from the Ross Volunteers, and six buglers play “Silver Taps” from the dome of the Academic Building. “Silver Taps” is played three times — once to the north, south and west, but never to the east because the sun will never rise on that Aggie again. However, Silver Taps is not held for students who commit suicide. Sheryl Martin, a senior biomed ical science major, said the ceremo ny is something that can never be replaced. “The tradition has been around so long it pretty much describes the spir it of Aggieland,” Martin said. “It is a way for us to honor students that meant something to the University and that are not with us anymore. We are basically just honoring someone we love. ” Silver Taps began in 1898, when a ceremony was held for Lawrence Sullivan Ross, former president of A&M. The ceremony was observed in front of the Old Main Building until it was destroyed in a fire in 1912. It was then held in front of Goodwin Hall until 1918. In 1919, the cere mony was moved to the front of the Academic Building. Several additions were made to Silver Taps as the tradition continued through the years, and these changes are still present in the cere monies today. In the 1920s, the flag was flown at half mast in front of the Academic Building on the day of Silver Taps. In the 1930s, the music “Silver Taps,” written by Colonel Richard J. Dunn, was played by two buglers. Today, the ceremony includes the same music, but it is played by six buglers. Another change that has occurred over the years is when the ceremony is held. Originally, the ceremony was held as soon as possible after the death of the Ag gie. Today the ceremony is held on the first Thesday of each month from September through April, if the ceremony is needed. Jamie Wilson, a senior molecular and cell biology major, said she will never forget her first experience at Silver Taps. “As a lot of freshman do, I went with my Fish Camp to the first Silver Taps of the year,” Wil son said. “As I approached the Academic Build ing, there was a thick silence, and all the buildings had an eerie glow to them.” Wilson said she did not know what to expect from her first Sil ver Taps but did know it was one of the most important traditions at A&M. “The Ross Volunteers marched in, and I held my breath,” she said. “I could hear people softly weeping in the distance, and I knew there was more to this tra dition than anyone could ever tell me about. “I was moved by this and in awe that this many peo ple could care about each other. This was truly the Ag gie spirit in action.” Andy Coffee, a senior environmental design major, said he thinks Silver Taps is the best tradition A&M has. “What makes Silver Taps the best tradition is that it is personal, emotional and different for each person on campus,” Coffee said. “The ceremony is definitely a time of reflection and makes you sit back and realize all that you do have. It is also a good time to say good bye to those that you love. ” Whether Silver Taps brings tears to Aggies’ eyes or it is just a time to look back and reflect. Silver Taps de fines the spirit of Aggieland. In the Nov. 4, 1963, issue of The Bryan-College Station Eagle, Jack Graeme summarized the senti ments behind this sacred tradition. “As long as there is an A&M, there will be a Silver Taps, and as long as there is a Silver Taps, there will be a ‘Spirit of Aggieland.’” “What makes Silver Taps the best tradition is that it is personal, emotional and different for each person on campus/' — Andy Coffee Senior environmental design major Silver Taps • Tonight - O ctober 6, 1998 10:30pm Academic Plaza he Institute of Industrial Engineers presents ecibel Products \Y .ofS^ ,'DV ipics October 6, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the ZACH 342 EVERYONE IS WELCOME! REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR RESUMES!! Cycles Etc. IP “Your Campus Bicycle Shop” Top Reasons To Visit Us This Week: Full Selection of 1999 Raleigh Mountain Bikes Starting at $219.99 We Specialize In Bicycle Repairs...Mushy, Squeaking Brakes...Grinding Gears...Flats Fixed Fast...No Problem! 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Cycles, Etc., 104 College Main across from Northgate Barber Shop) Call 691-BIKE(2453) CISC C0 CCCNC www.discgoround.myriad.net “Your CD Connection** cds • dj accessories • posters • imports • stickers • videos vinyl • concert tickets We Accept Aggie Bucks Buy • Sell • Trade 113 College Main (In Northgate) 846-6620 THUNDER COMPUTER SYSTEMS “THE FASTEST SYSTEMS WITH THE FINEST COMPONENTS ’’ Complete System=233 MMX, 32 Meg SD Ram, 2 Meg PCI Video, 2.8 Gig H/D, 3.5 Floppy, Minitower w/230 Watt p/s, 104 k/b, mouse, 14” .28S/GA Monitor, Windows 95, Lotus Smart Suite 97 Multimedia 16 Bit Sound, 120 Watt Speakers, 32x CD Rom, 56K Fax Modem w/Voice Total=Only $842. 50 Complete Multimedia System (409) 696-6565 1907 Texas Ave South V (Between Harvey K Holleman) 1-800-382-981 1 in College Station 1. Now Hiring Part-Time Positions UCS Inc. seeks candidates for the following open positions at our College Station office. • Technician Assistant • Customer Service/Help Desk • PC Support • Inventory Control We offer $6.00 per hour to start and real world work experience with opportunity for full time after graduation. To apply, call our Personnel headquarters: UCS Inc. 1-800-883-3031 3833 So. Texas Avenue, Suite 201 Metro Centre Bryan, TX http://www.ucs-systems.com UCS hires non-tobacco users only E.O.E. DELTA ZETA RUN 70 THE CHICKEN Proceeds will be donated to the Houston Ear Research Foundation 5k Run or Walk Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place runners and walkers Saturday, October 10,1998 8:00 a.m. Entry Fee: $ 12 prior to Oct. 10, $ 15 on race day All participants will receive t-shirts with registration. For more information contact Julie or Tammy @ 764-8154 on 2 r*» lhe national award-winning student 11 ^[lewspaper is accepting applications '*2 (or the following positions - 1541 ■ro« c ' City reporters editors designers ‘The Battalion is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all Hldents regardless of experience to apply. All positions are paid. Pre-Law Society Texas Tech Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. MSC 292A For more information, contact Karen Severn 847-8938 r Ski Colorado! College Ski Week Jan. 4-9, 1999 ^199 Prices start at 6 days, 5 nights 4 day/night lift pass llir^lBI for Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Beaver Creek Parties and much more! * Ask about our 7-night Ski Taos, NM package Jan 2-9 * Call now for Spring Break > early booking specials N. Above and Beyond Travel 260-1267 THERE IS NEVER A FEE FOR OUR SERVICES! l J