Kinship in a Time of Need

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We are told, throughout our lives, that when tragic events occur you find out who your true friends are.  After the events of April 16th, I received emails, phone calls and cards of sympathy from other universities’ alumni chapters here in Colorado.  One university went beyond condolences and instead offered a hand of kinship.  This does not minimize the importance of all the other words of comfort, but rather emphasizes the efforts of one alumni group. Virginia Tech and Texas A&M share certain characteristics and aspects of their collective histories and campus life.  Both universities were founded in the 1870’s as agricultural and mechanical, land-grant universities.  In addition, Tech and A&M are the only academic institutions, outside of the service academies, to have active Corps of Cadets.  Unfortunately, our two campuses now share the heartache of immense tragedy.  On November 18, 1999, A&M experienced the loss of 12 current and former students during the collapse of their traditional bonfire.  The remoteness of our schools creates a real sense of community that transcends those four years spent on campus and instead transforms campus into a home and the alumni and teachers into family.  It is because of this community atmosphere that we are able to rally ourselves in times of grief.  It is also this sense of family and kinship that brought me to Aggie Muster on Saturday night.

On the evening of April 21st I experienced an event so solemn honored and rooted in tradition that most people would have felt like an outsider.  However, on this night, I was the invited guest of the Pikes Peak Texas A&M Club as they celebrated their 125th Aggie Muster.  Muster is held every year to honor fallen students, both current and former, who have passed on since the last Muster.  The evening begins with conversation, reminiscing and typical Aggie camaraderie.  The room is filled with “Howdies”, hugs and handshakes, but everyone knows the importance of why they are really there.  After a tremendous meal and several heart-wrenching poems and speeches, it is time for roll call.  Throughout the evening, the members of this chapter, and every chapter across the country as well as the campus in College Station, selected the names of fallen Aggies that they knew personally.  In this room of close to 100 Aggies, there were 30 who experienced the loss of a friend or loved one.  As each name was called out, an Aggie in the room called “here”, lit a candle in remembrance and took their place at the front of the room.  The “Victims of Virginia Tech” was the last name called.  Fellow alumnus Tweed Ross (’92) and I called “here” and took our places at the front, candles lit, firmly in hand.  At this point, Silver Taps was played; a version of Taps created especially for A&M.  As the sound of sobbing echoed throughout the room, all I could do was think of Blacksburg, the smell of the Drillfield on a crisp autumn morning and how one day can bring so much grief to my home and fellow Hokies this week.

After closing remarks, the extinguishing of candles, drying of tears and hugs all around, the crowd left slowly filed out in a somber, reflective mood.  There was something else, though, just under the surface, which I felt.  Despite the events of April 16th and every other tragedy that occurs each and every day, there are two things that always remain. Hope and family.  We are Virginia Tech.  We are Texas A&M.  We are the Hokies and we are the Aggies.  We will prevail because we are more than just true friends.  We are one extended family.  We know for every hand we extend, we must also be willing to accept even more hands of support.  But we are not a family of orange and maroon or maroon and white.  We are a family of red, white and blue.  It is because of those colors that we will always have hope in our darkest days.  It is why we will always prevail.

Russell J. Bolish (‘96)
Founder, President
VTAA Colorado Springs Chapter

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