Thoughts at the Texas A&M Bonfire Memorial
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July 5, 2013
A few weeks ago, my wife Ernestine and I visited the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where my granddaughter plans to attend college in the fall of 2014. It is also the home of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, which we also visited.
While we were there, we stopped at the Texas A&M Bonfire Memorial. It was built in remembrance of a tragic collapse on November 18, 1999 – a week before The Bonfire was scheduled to burn – where twelve Aggies were killed. The Bonfire was a 90 year old tradition that came to symbolize the Aggie Spirit. The Spirit Ring of the memorial is accessed through 12 portals – one for each Aggie lost in 1999 – and is engraved with three memorial elements: a portrait, his or her signature and a written reflection.
Image Courtesy of Texas A&M University
As Ernestine and I read the 12 reflections (10 of whom were male), we were struck by the fact that six of those listed were Scouts and four were Eagle Scouts. What a testament to Scouting that the families of these young men thought to include their Scouting achievement on this eternal memorial to their sons! It brought tears of pride to our eyes.
As we strive to serve the youth of America, let’s remember the lives of those we touch through Scouting. Do you have a story you can share where Scouting has touched the life of a young person?
Have a happy and safe weekend!
Wayne
Nathan Johnson
As a member of the Communications team at Boy Scouts of America, Nathan Johnson enjoys finding and sharing the stories that inform, inspire, and delight the Scouting family.
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