Photo by StuSeeger
Softly call the Muster
Let comrade answer, ‘Here!’
Their spirits hover ’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 live etern
For our old friends such as they!
– Dr. John Ashton, ’06
I still remember the day that I got my acceptance letter to Texas A&M University.
My grandpa was so proud of me.
He had grown up the son of a working farmer. He’d heard about those Junction Boys and had always wanted to be an Aggie.
But he didn’t have the means to attend college, so he never got the chance.
But I was going to be an Aggie. And that was just as good.
My grandpa passed away in 2004. He got to attend one Aggie football game with me, but he didn’t get to see me earn my Aggie Ring.
Today, Aggies all around the world will gather to remember their brethren who have passed away in the last year.
It’s a tradition we call Muster.
Once you’re an Aggie, you’re never forgotten.
Ceremonies will be held across the globe. Each will include a roll call of those who have died during the past year. A friend or family member will answer, “Here!” for that fallen Aggie.
It’s a wonderful tradition.
Today, I will be thinking about my grandpa.
He never attended classes at Texas A&M, but he was an Aggie in every sense of the word.
I miss you, Gramps.
Leave a Reply