More than 1,000 people have attended a memorial to honor the 12 people who died when a tower of logs collapsed at Texas A&M University 20 years ago.
The Eagle reports that the ceremony Monday at the university’s Bonfire Memorial featured performances of “Spirit of Aggieland,” “Amazing Grace” and “The Aggie War Hymn.”
Eleven university students and one former student died on Nov. 18, 1999, when a 40-foot bonfire structure holding about 5,000 logs collapsed. Twenty-seven other students were injured.
Janice Kerlee, the mother of a student who died, said those who died were “extraordinary young people” known for their smiles and love for people.
Texas A&M President Michael K. Young says he hopes Monday’s ceremony brings solace to the loved ones of those who died.
After the Aggie Bonfire collapse, mourners left behind a shrine of items to honor the twelve Aggies we lost. From letters to 12th Man towels, the memorabilia was collected and is preserved in a collection at #TAMU. https://t.co/fU3gsuXnzD pic.twitter.com/PuhbMGcEiL
— Texas A&M University 👍😷 (@TAMU) November 17, 2019
An incredibly beautiful tribute for the 20th anniversary of bonfire collapse. #WeRememberThem pic.twitter.com/qSttl6s31j
— Cassie Stricker (@cassie_stricker) November 17, 2019
1999 - 12 are killed and 27 injured when the under construction Aggie Bonfire collapsed on the Texas A&M campus in @CityofCS.
— ✯ The History of Texas (@TheHistoryofTX) November 18, 2019
Here, the ten year remembrance video from @TAMU: https://t.co/q8luUGVjbk
