Texas A&M; Remembers Victims of Bonfire Tragedy

A 150-foot circle cordoned off in a field at College Station, Texas, was a place no one wanted to enter.

“This is a most horrible thing to remember,” Nancy Braus said.

Braus’ son, Dominic, had his right arm crushed a year ago as he worked on the Texas A&M; bonfire.

The 59-foot stack of logs, weighing more than two jumbo jets and being assembled for the school’s annual pep rally on the eve of its football game against archrival Texas, collapsed Nov. 18, 1999, killing 12 and injuring 27.

With thousands of Aggies assembling at the bonfire site to participate in a candlelight memorial at 12:42 this morning, the special circle was reserved for families of those who were killed. An adjacent area was set aside for those who were hurt and survived.

“Some parents will not be there because they feel this is an affront by people in leadership and feel this is a media event,” Braus said.

At a place where tradition and precision go arm in arm, the ceremony was scripted for 30 minutes: A memorial flame at the circle center. An unseen speaker making brief remarks.

Then the calling of individual names, the lighting of a candle, a blast from an off-site cannon. Twelve times.

In June, President Ray Bowen said the bonfires would continue, but not until at least 2002.

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