November 18, 1999: The Texas A&M Bonfire, a tradition in which students of the university build a 55 foot high stack of logs to light before the annual game with the University of Texas, collapsed, killing twelve students and injuring many more. It was the first time in almost 100 years of this tradition that there had been any accidents during the the construction of the Bonfire. Seven of the twelve students killed were AFROTC cadets in the A&M Corps of Cadets.
Bonfire
What was it they saw
The last instant standing
On the pinnacle of the world
Gazing into eternity?
We invincible could
Conquer nations glory
And watching the silver birds
Soar high free into the
Night sky maroon and white.
And in the glow of the bonfire
Death only a moment away
What was it they saw looking
Into the distance hands linked
Squeezing hard as they came
Crashing down?