Bonfire Memorial | College Station

The Bonfire Memorial at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, serves as a solemn tribute to the 12 students who tragically lost their lives in the collapse of the Aggie Bonfire on November 18, 1999. The incident occurred during the preparations for the university’s traditional Bonfire event, which was meant to honor the rivalry between Texas A&M and the University of Texas. The collapse resulted in the death of 12 students and left 27 others injured.

Here’s a detailed look at the memorial and the events surrounding it:

The 1999 Bonfire Collapse

The Incident: On November 18, 1999, while students were constructing the towering Bonfire stack, the structure, made up of thousands of logs, collapsed. The Bonfire was a beloved tradition at Texas A&M, where students would work together to build and light a massive fire in honor of the rivalry football game.

Cause of Collapse: The collapse was attributed to a combination of factors, including structural weaknesses in the Bonfire stack, inadequate oversight, and safety failures. The incident remains one of the most devastating events in the history of Texas A&M University.

Design and Features of the Bonfire Memorial

The Bonfire Memorial was dedicated on November 18, 2004, five years after the tragedy. The design of the memorial is symbolic, not only honoring the lives lost but also encapsulating the unity and spirit of the Aggie community. The memorial features three major components:

Tradition Plaza:

This area serves as the entrance to the memorial and reflects on the activities that bring the Texas A&M community together.

The Spirit Wall divides the outside world from the memorial itself, creating a more intimate and reflective space.

The Last Corps Trip Wall displays the poem traditionally read before the lighting of the Bonfire each year.

History Walk:

A path made up of 89 granite stones that commemorate the 90 years of Aggie Bonfire prior to the 1999 tragedy. Each stone features an amber light and a notch to symbolize the Bonfire's glow.

The timeline marks significant historical moments, including the 1963 break in tradition when Bonfire was not held in remembrance of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

It also acknowledges the three previous Bonfire-related deaths on the timeline, marking the years these occurred.

Spirit Ring:

The Spirit Ring is the heart of the memorial, surrounding the site of the 1999 Bonfire collapse. This ring represents the Aggie Spirit, symbolizing the unity of Texas A&M students and alumni.

Each of the 12 portals in the ring represents one of the students who perished in the collapse. The portals are oriented toward the hometowns of the deceased, and each includes an engraved portrait and signature.

27 stones with bronze inlays represent the students who were injured in the incident, forming part of the ring and symbolizing their connection to the Aggie community.

Honoring the Fallen Aggies

The 12 students who lost their lives in the Bonfire collapse are commemorated in the memorial. Their names are engraved, and each student is remembered through a specific portal in the Spirit Ring. The students are:

Miranda Denise Adams

Christopher D. Breen

Michael Stephen Ebanks

Jeremy Richard Frampton

Jamie Lynn Hand

Christopher Lee Heard

Timothy Doran Kerlee Jr.

Lucas John Kimmel

Bryan A. McClain

Chad A. Powell

Jerry Don Self

Nathan Scott West

Annual Remembrance

November 18 marks the anniversary of the tragedy, and at 2:42 a.m. — the exact time of the collapse — the Aggie community gathers at the memorial to honor the fallen students.

This gathering is a tradition for Texas A&M, bringing together students, alumni, and faculty in remembrance, reflection, and unity. It’s a significant moment each year, continuing to bind the Aggie community in shared grief and respect for the lives lost.

Recognition and Awards

The design of the Bonfire Memorial has received numerous accolades for its artistic and architectural excellence. It was honored with the 2005 AIA San Antonio Design Award and also won the 2005 MCAA International Excellence in Masonry Award.

Visiting the Memorial

The Bonfire Memorial is located at the Polo Fields on the Texas A&M campus. The memorial is open to the public and provides a reflective space for visitors to honor the lives lost in the tragic collapse. The design of the memorial, with its symbolic elements, ensures that the memory of those lost is preserved while also celebrating the enduring Aggie spirit.

In summary, the Bonfire Memorial is much more than a tribute to those who died in 1999. It represents the spirit, resilience, and unity of the Aggie family, ensuring that the legacy of the fallen students continues to be remembered for generations. The memorial serves as a place of solemn reflection, a reminder of the importance of safety and community, and a symbol of the unbreakable bond that ties Texas A&M University students and alumni together.