http://www.texasmonthly.com/2009-11-01/feature-1.php

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Ring of Fire

It was one of the most passionately observed traditions on any college campus in the country. Then, on November 18, 1999, a week before it was scheduled to burn, the Texas A&M Bonfire collapsed in the middle of the night, killing twelve Aggies. Ten years later, as the university continues to wrestle with the tragedy—and debate whether Bonfire should ever return to campus—the students and alumni who chopped logs, hauled timber, and built stack talk about what they saw, what they lost, and how their school was changed forever.

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When I was up on stack, I said whatever I wanted, because I was untouchable. Sometimes I’d think, “Man, when I get down, someone’s going to kick my ass.”

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RAY BOWEN Students have the power to create an alternate tradition. A Habitat for Humanity program—where students would build fifteen or twenty shell homes—would require just the same blood, sweat, and tears.

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but then we'd be imprisioned for Arson...

The lumber they use in housing is soaked in chemicals: It wouldn't be safe to burn.

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Students have the power to create an alternate tradition.

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You can't "create a tradition". By definition, a thing is not a tradition the first time you do it. And if you do something with the intent of it becoming a tradition later, it's just dumb.

Can you think of an Aggie Tradition that started like that? Did E. King Gill want to create a tradition? Did the Aggie Band in 1931 think "we need a mascot"?

Great article, tough read, but.....

Ray Bowen talking about hearing things in depositions regarding student leadership activities that surprised him, disgusted him, and changed his mind about the tradition's return.

I've seen you at the hotel Ray, I've seen you at air out, don't tell a reporter something to cover your ass. The one thing in that article that made me want to vomit.

Great article.

LOL Texas Rebel!

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CHIP THIEL I was standing on top of the world—perched on fourth stack with three of my dearest friends—when stack started to sway.

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CHIP THIEL All three of my buddies who had been standing with me on fourth stack were thrown to the ground. They fell one way, and I fell the other. I had seen a rope and jumped for it, and that’s what saved my life. Long story short, one’s buried in Austin, one’s buried in Fort Worth, and one’s buried in California.

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Wow. I can't even begin to imagine...

Great article

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Ray Bowen talking about hearing things in depositions regarding student leadership activities that surprised him, disgusted him, and changed his mind about the tradition's return.

I've seen you at the hotel Ray, I've seen you at air out, don't tell a reporter something to cover your ass. The one thing in that article that made me want to vomit.

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The guy is slime.

The bit about Habitat being the same thing was a pile of excrement, too.

One of my first reactions to the article was, "well, a lot has changed in 10 years but Ray Bowen still pisses me off."

great article... but its a tough read

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...Bonfire is worth it because of what you become through the process of building it. It’s worth it because it makes Aggies and it defines Aggieland. Not everything about Bonfire is bright and shiny and deserves to see the light of day. A lot of it is really gross and disgusting. But what it accomplishes for the students and for the school—there is no reproducing that. It is what makes A&M unique, and I think it is certainly worth whatever it takes to make it happen.

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The question raised in the first half of this reply by Jim Daniel (the part I didn't post), is one I haven't been able to answer with any sort of satisfaction for myself, and one that I think inevitably has to be. This really put it to rest for me.

anyone notice the SB banner on the top of texags?

I think it reminded me that there is a far bit of difference between

a) my experience: having been across campus at the moment it collapsed and being there for much of the aftermath. Finding out later that two friends/acquaintances are dead.

b) the experience of Chip Thiel, who still limps to this day and will never see his friends again.


I'm going to make sure we make it out to Student Bonfire this year. I didn't go last year when I decided I was too old/lazy for Cut, but I'd like to go again.


Remember '99.
OC Hogs Build Bonfire!

Every time I read Texags and come across some of you snivelling, tradition hating ladies, I lose a little more hope for A&M. Some of you candy-asses clearly got lost on the way to Austin, Lubbock or Waco. Please buy a map and leave. - Buck Turgidson

This thread made me wonder: Whatever happened to John Comstock?

More than ever should have.

I hear he's back at A&M… Never met him, but I wish him well.

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anyone notice the SB banner on the top of texags?

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Don't see it, was it it just a one day run or something?

I didn't see it either, but I have Adblock.

The ads on here are rotating, so if you haven't seen the SB ad yet, try hitting the refresh button a few times.

ahh saw it, refreshing wouldn't rotate it, I had to close Firefox a few times. The ad looks awesome, nice job to whoever designed it.

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Whatever happened to John Comstock

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when I was an undergrad, I'd cross his path every now and then... I introduced myself, said "howdy" and we talked for about a block once...

...One day I just never saw him again.

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anyone notice the SB banner on the top of texags?

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Unfortunately, paying subscribers - some of the most motivated Ags - don't see banner ads at the top of the page.

What is Perry talking about it coming back to campus in 2010 or 2011?

shed a tear reading the article, pretty emotional to this day