Tag Archives: Aggie Muster

Sunday, April 22, 2018 – Saying Good Bye with Pearls and Grace

Sunday, April 22, 2018 – Saying Good Bye with Pearls and Grace

Yesterday, April 21, Aggie Muster became an even more special and solemn occasion. Hundreds of us lined Texas Avenue and George Bush Drive in College Station to watch the motorcade go to the Bush Library and to say our final goodbye to former First Lady, Barbara Bush.

On Thursday, I took this photo of the George Bush Library with the flags at half-staff.

Local media informed those who wanted to watch the motorcade to be parked and in place by 2:00 pm. Since we always want to be on the front row of history, Ms. Navasota and I arrived at 12:30. But we met the coolest ladies and had the greatest conversations. Note the following photograph:

Two minutes later an AP photographer took their photo and it has gone international. So, HWIT, if that photographer wins a Pulitzer for that photograph, J and I will say “we took it first!”

Social media allowed us to track the motorcade from the moment it left St. Martin’s Church in Houston to the arrival in College Station. Here are some photographs of history. Because I know many of you are familiar with the Texas A&M campus, you will recognize where these photos are taken.

I chose the corner of Olsen and George Bush Drive. This is just across the railroad tracks at Wellborn and George Bush Drive. Blue Bell Park is directly behind me.

This is looking left toward Wellborn Road.  Texas Ave. is about 1.5 miles. Imagine the number of people,

The one below is looking right toward the Bush Library In the distance you can see the police vehicle. Public was not allowed past that point.

 

Motorcade about to cross RR tracks.

First vehicle behind the hearse and the only beige one in the motorcade. I suspect the former presidents were here.  Second group of vehicles were family and friends.

And then they were gone..

But then there was Aggie Muster. Next year, 2019, will be the official Aggie Muster for the Bush Family. However, last evening the first name called was “Barbara Pierce Bush” and the attendees in Reed Arena and your Aggie Family answered “Here.”

Friday, April 21, 2017 – Softly Call the Muster

Friday, April 21, 2017 – Softly Call the Muster

The 2017 Texas A&M Muster will honor H. DuVal, Jr.’51, the author of The Last Corps Trip. His family and Aggies across the world will answer “Here” for him and all Aggies who marched in behind the band this year.

Photo by me. Bonfire Memorial. Texas A&M Campus.

The Last Corps Trip

It was Judgment Day in Aggieland

And tenseness filled the air;

All knew there was a trip at hand,

But not a soul knew where.

Assembled on the drill field

Was the world-renowned Twelfth Man,

The entire fighting Aggie team

And the famous Aggie Band.

And out in front with Royal Guard

The reviewing party stood;

St. Peter and his angel staff

Were choosing bad from good.

First he surveyed the Aggie team

And in terms of an angel swore,

“By Jove, I do believe I’ve seen

This gallant group before.

I’ve seen them play since way back when,

And they’ve always had the grit;

I’ve seen ‘em lose and I’ve seen ‘em win,

But I’ve never seen ‘em quit.

No need for us to tarry here

Deciding upon their fates;

Tis plain as the halo on my head

That they’ve opened Heaven’s gates.”

And when the Twelfth Man heard this,

They let out a mighty yell

That echoed clear to Heaven and shook the gates of Hell.

“And what group is this upon the side,” St. Peter asked his aide,

“That swelled as if to burst with pride

When we our judgment made?”

“Why, sir, that’s the Cadet Corps

That’s known both far and wide

For backing up their fighting team

Whether they won, lost or tied.”

“Well, then,” said St. Peter, “It’s very plain to me

That within the realms of Heaven

They should spend eternity.

And have the Texas Aggie Band

At once commence to play

For their fates too we must decide

Upon this crucial day.”

And the drum major so hearing

Slowly raised his hand

And said, “Boys, let’s play The Spirit

For the last time in Aggieland.”

And the band poured forth the anthem

In notes both bright and clear

And ten thousand Aggie voices

Sang the song they hold so dear.

And when the band had finished,

St. Peter wiped his eyes And said,

“It’s not so hard to see They’re meant for Paradise.”

And the colonel of the Cadet Corps said

As he stiffly took his stand, “It’s just another Corps Trip, boys,

We’ll march in behind the band.”

 – by P.H. DuVal, Jr.’51