Photo By Jacquelene Van Pool | Air Force Maj. Scott Bryant lit a candle to remember fellow Texas Aggies from the...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - He read the names one by one. “Mr. Sherman Allenson, Dr. Daryl Atkins, Maj. James Dennis,” intoned Capt. Askie Toure, class of 2006.
The roll call was part of an annual Muster ceremony held by alumni of Texas A&M University stationed at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. The ceremony was hosted by Logistics Taskforce - 4, part of the Army Field Support Battalion - Kandahar, 401st Army Field Support Brigade.
“We as Aggies muster to commemorate our fellow Aggies that have died during the year,” said event organizer Lt. Col. Robert Smyth, LTF - 4 executive and operations officer and class of 1985. “The driver is Aggie Spirit.
“The day, 21 April was chosen as that is the day the Republic of Texas defeated the Mexican army in a struggle for independence and liberty over the dictator Gen. Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto,” said Smyth, a Witchita Falls, Texas native.
The muster has been an A&M tradition since the conclusion of World War I, said Col. Jeffrey P. Davis, class of 1987.
“Back then A&M was all male, all military school and entire classes of A&M men went off to World War I,” said Davis who is from Fort Worth, Texas. “After the war was over they wanted to reunite, see their comrades they had not seen in three or four years. So the tradition started to get back together and have a roll call and answer here for the comrades that were no longer with us.”
The keynote address was given by Rep. Louie Gohmert, from Tyler, Texas, who was in Afghanistan visiting the troops. As is tradition, the congressmen, a member of the class of 1975, shared a few memories from his time in the Cadet Corps at A&M, reminiscing about blind dates and meeting new friends.
While remembering a dear friend that went to A&M with Gohmert he said, “I look around the room tonight and I am with gifts from God. And I hope after you leave muster tonight that you think about it in a prayer tonight to God, saying thank you for all the gifts you put around me; for my life at A&M and at Camp Leatherneck, all the places you go.”
He concluded by saying, “Aggies have always had a special place in their heart for their country, for each other … [T]hat’s why I am proud to be here with you to tonight and I will always be proud to be a Texas Aggie.”
Following the key note address five candles were lit, representing five classes. As each of the candles were lit, the names of those who had passed away from that class during the previous year were read aloud. After each name, a fellow Aggie would answer “here” in their stead.
Following the ceremony, attendees gathered and talked, remembering and catching up with old friends.
“I am honored to be here serving my country in Afghanistan, but to be serving and be here tonight with fellow Aggies you really can’t describe how special it is,” said Davis. “It does not matter how old or young you are, you are an Aggie. You are an Aggie forever.”
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2012 08:24 |
| Story ID: | 88147 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | TYLER, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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