This is just a re-post of the one I deleted last week.
today we gather
today we remember
today we reminisce
today we celebrate
today we eat
today we call roll
today we honor those who have fallen
It is April 21, this day marks the single greatest tradition held by any University nation wide. "If there is an A&M man in one-hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M college of Texas." During roll call this evening, Benjamin Franklin Norman III '58 was called in two locations, campus muster and here in Clemson. Family and friends hundreds of miles away answered the call with "here," because Ben is still here with us and one day we will join Ben. Ben lived in Bryan, one of his son's and his daughter were on campus tonight. Ben's other son Bill was here. Bill is a professor in our department and is one of the sole reasons I am at Clemson now. Bill was one of many present tonight who did not graduate from A&M. Hearing them talk about how special A&M is, and seeing tears come when "The Last Corps Trip" was read and when we sang "The Spirit" made me so proud to be a part of a university that binds us in life and in the celebration of those who have passed on. This is why we muster together, and why we pray that it will strengthen our God given love and friendship. We also pray that it will spread to other schools and nations, bringing a deeper bond of friendship and peace. Today it spread.
Aggie Muster Day
We gather here to mark the day Aggies proudly stand.
To honor those who've gone before to the promised land.
Each name is called upon the roll, comrades answer "Here."
Trumpets sound their sad good-bye to those we held so dear.
All heads are bowed in silent pledge never to forget.
While rifles fire their last salute echoes answer yet.
To their mem'ry we'll be true; we will take their place.
One for all and all for one ever in Thy grace.
We'll meet again another day, reunion while we pray
To ask Thy blessing on each one on this Muster day,
Aggie Muster Day. -Mrs. Earl (Margaret) Rudder
Roll Call For the Absent
| In many lands and climes this April day Proud sons of Texas A&M unite. Our loyalty to country, school, we pray, and seal our pact with bond of common might. |
| We live again those happy days of yore on campus, field, in classroom, dorm, at drill Fond memory brings a sigh -- but nothing more; Now we are men and life’s a greater thrill, |
| On Corregidor *126 years ago today A band of gallant Aggies, led by Moore, Held simple rites which led to us doth all to say: The spirit shall prevail through cannon roar. |
| Before we part and go upon our way, We pause to honor those we knew so well; The old familiar faces we miss so much today Left cherished recollections that time cannot dispel. |
| 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 life etern For our old friends such as they! |
| by Dr. John Ashton ‘06 |
