I grew up in College Station and got to witness bonfire and all its majesty for many years. However, bonfire was off campus by the time I got to A&M and people often bring up the argument of "A&M isn't the same since bonfire left campus" which valid on different levels to different people. I know the current bonfire group argues that bonfire is great in its own way, but Old Army tends to disagree and during my time on campus I'd say the student body thought bonfire was a minority group and made no attempt to participate.

After a little drinking in the parking lot after softball a few months back, a guy told me that he tells his Aggie students that A&M is quick to take off with some great traditions and that they're capable of coming up with the next best thing that could be on campus with mass participation.

BOTTOM LINE (if you want to skip the top part):
I know that bonfire is a great tradition and it's blasphemy to suggest that it go away, but if you could create something else that was the "new bonfire" that could incorporate a tribute and/or become the new symbol for beating the hell out of t.u., what would you do? It doesn't look like it's coming back and we don't want someone else to build it for us, so what now?

Serious suggestions only please, it's still a sore subject.

I think due to the enormous student participation in such an event, coupled with such a tragic ending, it will be impossible to ever "replace" or come close to replacing bonfire. However, there can and will be a future event that will become legendary in Aggieland. I think it is still too soon for those to move on yet.



God Bless and Gig Em'


Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel... Ephesians 6:19

[This message has been edited by aggiemike05 (edited 7/24/2006 10:15p).]

wow. this original topic has never been posted before.


btw, bonfire doesn't need to be "replaced". it still exists.

[This message has been edited by Rings (edited 7/24/2006 10:19p).]

Burn it

Bonfire still burns, and a lot of Old Army is really amazed at what the current students have been accomplishing- all by swimming uphill against internal forces. What is being accomplished is nothing short of amazing- a real tribute to the ideals that made this institution great!

WOAH RINGS?!@?! BONFIRE STILL EXITS?!?! IS THAT WHY I MENTIONED IT MULTIPLE TIMES IN MY ORIGINAL POST?!??! HAVE YOU USED ALL 714 OF YOUR POSTS TO BE SUCH A JACKASS!?!?!

Anyway, good posts thus far otherwise. I expected to see as much and I'm not opposed. The length current students go through to make their bonfire is an impressive testament to the Aggie Spirit. The original post is meant if you thought anything could be done to get the participation old bonfire brought (or maybe you think new bonfire will get to that popularity). I assumed when I created the thread it had been discussed before, but it's the offseason and I was looking at old bonfire pictures and saw that the tallest bonfire was 109 ft tall. I then remembered that Aggies can do some great things in the name of tradition and wanted to see what some of the current and former Aggies could come up with (or don't want to come up with).

There should still be a bonfire, but the Dartmouth model should be adopted.

The current A&M student body simply can not functionally support pre-99 workloads. Times have changed folks.

Bring bonfire back to campus. Build it safe!! Bring back the excitement it brings to the football team and the campus.

Bonfire is also about everyone being there....the people that built it, the football team, the people that didn't build it, the band, the corp, the community.

Bring it back to campus.

disagree w/ whop

Students should forever be the work force behind Bonfire. It is their blood sweat and tears that make it the only thing of its kind in the world. Nothing else brings students from many different places and experiences together for 2 months on end. Working next to people you never would have met in the first place brings a sense of honor and brotherhood to Aggies that few other things have ever done. Without the students building it Bonfire is nothing more than a pep rally with a fire.

[This message has been edited by chunks (edited 7/24/2006 11:44p).]

You have any ideas Lance? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I just don't know what else the students could do that would require as much work or be as impressive as bonfire as a singular symbol of our desire to best the hell outta t.u.

I know the students who work on the current off-campus bonfire work very hard against substantial odds to accomplish what is in my eyes a significant achievement - so don't flame what I'm gonna say, I respect you guys - but honestly, they ARE viewed as a small minority group and I'd bet not even 5% of the student body shows up to see it burn. To me the definition of what bonfire meant includes the unity aspect, which off-campus bonfire lacks and will lack. It isn't the same. At all. Sure there is comradship among those who work on it but most students aren't even aware work is going on.

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but most students aren't even aware work is going on.

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That is what is being changed every year. There will be over 1000 students building Bonfire this year.

Except for added safety, cut is exactly the same as pre-99 cut. Cut has always been off-campus. Traditions are the same out there.

Stack is safer with all logs touching the ground. Many of the traditions are the same. You have to remember, its not just current students out there building a rebel fire. There are numerous Ol Ags out there all the time. Being involved, passing down stories, techniques, and traditions.

Leadership lines from the 70's and 80's have been passed down. Ol'Army Redpots are also supporting Bonfire now.

Some people's minds will never be changed if they read forums and look at pictures online. Go to Bonfire, Cut, Stack or Burn. Find your old crew. Talk to the newboys. See it firsthand.

Down goes Rings! down goes Rings!

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The current A&M student body simply can not functionally support pre-99 workloads. Times have changed folks

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Not to be a jerk, but what do you base this on?

Back in the day, Bonfire was built in a 2 week time frame (cut, haul, stack and burn). When I built Bonfire the event took the time the fall semester started up to burn. I don't see how things have changes so much that the current students could not do it.

They haven't. Money is raised and donations are collected all spring and summer to fund Bonfire.

It's still an incredible feat.

It is good to know that a student bonfire still burns.
It is just sad that it had to be removed from everyone's view on campus.

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I assumed when I created the thread it had been discussed before,

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You're '06 (or later), aren't you?

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I...wanted to see what some of the current and former Aggies [sic] could come up with (or don't want to come up with).

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There's a slew of posts dated 2/4/02 that you can look at. For example, the Pit of Fire (http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=110692&forum_id=14). Plus anything the Fall Activities Council has come up with.

As for why none of them has gained acceptance, I think it's because either you're offended by the idea of replacing Bonfire, or you don't see the need to.

The problem with trying to do something as large, labor intensive, fun, visible, and exciting as Bonfire is that Bonfire is the only thing that fits all of the requirements that it needs to.

First off, if there isn't something actually being built, the entire experience would be changed to much to compare the two...like the Farmers Fight Festival (FFF) they tried that one year.

Since something needs to be built, it must be on campus and visible from all over to kindle that flame of pride in even the people who don't help out, heck, even the people that just live in Aggieland and drive by it. (BTW, this is the only thing that Student Bonfire doesn't have)

It would not be wise to have students build a structure that is to remain in place (ie. a new building). Leadership on a project like this would have to be taken away from students since structural integrity would have to be so the structure would stand for years to come.

Students have to be the leadership, or else the whole effort is wasted. That is what bonfire did...it gave practical experience to people who would not have had it otherwise.

If the students were to build artistic structures, they would either invade campus (remember a new one each year) or even more effort would have to be put into tearing the structure down and the materials would have to be disposed of properly. If you recall, this is why Bonfire burned...to clear the field for next year.

Student Bonfire may not be visible to those students that have to keep a 4.0 to keep a full ride while taking 18 hours of engineering courses per semester since it's not on campus any more. To everyone that cuts, loads, stacks, swings, even just visits stack site, the sight of Bonfire, although not currently at the same pre-99 magnitude, will burn in their hearts and minds for quite a while to come.

Steps to bring Bonfire back on campus:
1. Get 401(c)3 Non-Profit status for (A)SB.
2. Raise a bunch of money.
3. Bond, Liscense, and Insure (A)SB as a construction company.
4. Make a professional proposal to The University, requesting that they bring on ASB as a contractor to build Bonfre. In exchange for compensation, ASB requests a free lease of on-campus land on which to build Bonfire.
5. Build the Hell outta Bonfire '0?

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

[This message has been edited by opie03 (edited 7/26/2006 8:33a).]

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Student Bonfire may not be visible to those students that have to keep a 4.0 to keep a full ride while taking 18 hours of engineering courses per semester since it's not on campus any more. To everyone that cuts, loads, stacks, swings, even just visits stack site, the sight of Bonfire, although not currently at the same pre-99 magnitude, will burn in their hearts and minds for quite a while to come.

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Exactly! Even though it is easier said than done, Bonfire needs a place where it is visible to everyone. It does not need to be out of view like it was at Hotrod Hill. Like I said, easier said than done but hopefully one day Bonfire will find a permanent place to be housed that can be seen by the major public as it once was.

Off Campus Bonfire is getting bigger and bigger each year, but still, a lot of present/former students see my Bonfire bumper stickers and shirts I have and ask about it. A lot of them have no clue that Off Campus Bonfire exists. Others have no clue as to the scale that it is reaching. Then there are some that want to help and have no clue how to do that.

Point is we need to get the word out. I tell anyone and everyone that seems to show interest in it. Kudos to those that that have spread the word by the flyers on campus and any other means! Keep it up!

No, you cannot replace Bonfire.

Yes, you can get the word out. Especially with a skeet shooting tournament. Excellent idea Jayci!

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Yes, you can get the word out. Especially with a skeet shooting tournament. Excellent idea Jayci!

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But now you're just replacing the problem of getting the word out about Bonfire with the problem of getting the word out about your skeet shooting tournament.

you get the word out AT the tournament hosted by bonfire.

it was just a joke anyway, off topic

WH06P:

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The current A&M student body simply can not functionally support pre-99 workloads. Times have changed folks.

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What's changed in the past seven years that the current students can't do it? Not why don't they, but why can't they?

Armadillo Jackal:

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That is what is being changed every year. There will be over 1000 students building Bonfire this year.

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Yes, it's progress, compared to 2002, but there's still a long way to go. The current Bonfire crew is only (ironically) 2% of the student body. There's a lot more people that need to be reached.

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Find your old crew. Talk to the newboys.

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What if you lived in Appelt, Aston, or Lechner?

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See it firsthand.

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Agreed.

TexasRebel:

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If the students were to build artistic structures...even more effort would have to be put into tearing the structure down and the materials would have to be disposed of properly.

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Shackathon?

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The current Bonfire crew is only (ironically) 2% of the student body. There's a lot more people that need to be reached.

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I'll agree that more people need to be reached. However, you guys should never get down about a seemingly low percentage participation in relation to the student body. That number has always been low. In my day, I'd bet it was 5% max but probably closer to the 2% figure on average.

The main focus now should be in getting more people out to burn. Hang in there, it'll come.

/off-topic

Scott Coker '92

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Shackathon?

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Big difference between a temporary structure that somebody can push over, and something substantial enough to be proud of that might take equipment and *gasp* a risk

As far as the university is concerned, "risk" is a four-letter word.

First thing to remeber is Bonfire never can and never will be "replaced"....

Second thing I heard this quote from a traditions council member and will never forget it.. "Aggie Spirit built Bonfire, Bonfire did not build Aggie Spirit." The problem with Spirit on campus is much bigger than the Lack of Bonfire and should be a whole nother Forum Topic.

Some other thoughts:
Aggie Bonfire does not currently exist!!! OC Bonfire however does exist. I strongly support and praticipate in OCB but it isint the real Old Army "Bonfire". Yes thats my opinon and yours may be different!!!

I really hope to get Bonfire brought back to campus even after I'm gone.. It's what many students and old Ag's want including many of those hurt, and I believe that the 12 men/women would want that too. The simple fact though is that with litigation and such going on now is not the time!!!


Bonfire '99 YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED!!!!

[This message has been edited by REDAG07 (edited 7/31/2006 3:58a).]

[This message has been edited by REDAG07 (edited 7/31/2006 10:45a).]

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"Aggie Spirit built Bonfire, Bonfire did not build Aggie Spirit." The problem with Spirit on campus is much bigger than the Lack of Bonfire and should be a whole nother Forum Topic.

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You are right in saying that Bonfire is not the genesis of Aggie Spirit. Bonfire is simply a catylist for Aggie Spirit. Like a log is carried by a crew at Cut, the Aggie Spirit rides on the shoulders of activities such as Silver Taps, Muster, and Bonfire. When one of the activities falls out (no pun intended), the others must take up the slack and carry the weight (although a little lower).

Many times in A&M's history, other activities have jumped in to boost the Spirit. Some were ineffective at shouldering the burdeon like Farmer's Fight Fest; while others changed the face of A&M like Maroon Out and the Aggie Band.

Aggie life and many traditions circled around Bonfire, as it was one of the biggest events that carried the brunt of the Aggie Spirit. Pass-downs, Corps Brass, and the t.u. game are just a few of the events that culminated with Bonfire. Without it, the Spirit has slowly sagged and the perifial (sp) activities have also suffered.

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Some other thoughts:
Aggie Bonfire does not currently exist!!! OC Bonfire however does exist. I strongly support and praticipate in OCB but it isint "Bonfire". Yes thats my opinon and yours may be different!!!

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I have to respectfully disagree. If it looks like duck, acts like a duck, quacks like a duck, and hangs around other ducks; it's a duck. The same Spirit that was in pre-99 Bonfire is in the post-2002 (OC) Bonfires. To continue the duck metaphor, it even smells like Bonfire.

Another example: If you wrecked your '67 Mustang and had to drive an '06 Shelby Mustang while the old 'stang was in the shop; the Shelby would be your "transportation." You can't drive the '67 because the Department of Transportation won't let you. In the mean time, the '06 Mustang is your transportation and serves the same purpose as the old one.

You soon realize that, although the '06 doesn't work the same, it has the same heart and carries on the spirit that was in the '67. The '06 body is modeled after the '67, but has sigificant improvements. The soul of the Mustang couldn't continue with out the '06, and the '06 Shelby wouldn't be there without the history of the '67.

In short, the old needs the new and the new needs the old. They may not be exactly the same, but they both carry the name "Mustang" and wear the badging proudly.

Now replace "Mustang" with "Bonfire" and "'06 Shelby" with "Off Campus." (We all know who the DOT is...)

BTHOB'06

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

[This message has been edited by opie03 (edited 7/31/2006 11:00a).]

I think that mustang metaphore was just about the best thing I have read on here in a long time. Thats great!

Let's put it this way. If you grew up watching Bonfire burn without working on it, you missed well over 95% of the entire experience. It's not about burning the damned thing. It's about building it.

Friendships aren't founded on Burn night, they're culminated. Rivalries aren't renewed through the lighting of stack, their replenished through the constant practical joking and other activities that go on in the woods and at Stack. Lifetimes of memories are not made in the single night that the logs are charred, but rather in the endless hours of toil killing trees, humping out logs, slamming them onto stack and wiring them in.


Bonfire isn't built through hugs and kisses, yells and cheers, or the Aggie Band playing in the background (though I'd love to hear them play on Burn). It's built on the cold mornings in the backs of pickup trucks, over long sweaty days swinging machetes and axes, through the severe nights at Stack when it gets down in the 30s and the only thing keeping you warm is that cigarette in your mouth and the coffee you (might) get at some point. It's the bloody knuckles, the blisters and chafing. It's the scraped up shoulders and sore muscles, tired joints and broken voices. It's that inner well of strength every single person finds within themselves to take one more swing of an axe, slam one more log, or get back up in that swing when your hands are numb. It's being huddled around that perimeter fire holding on to each other for dear warmth, and singing the War Hymn when that outhouse finally goes up.

Bonfire has never been about the burning for those that have done it, but rather the journey along the way. The only reason we burn the sum***** is to have room to build another one the next year, and introduce another year of fish to the ever-livin, ever-lovin Fightin Texas Aggie Bonfire.

For those that are 04 and later, can you truely say that Aggie Student Bonfire is not "Aggie Bonfire"? I was going to be at burn in 99 but instead stood at the amazing candle-light vidule. I unfortunately can not claim to "know" Aggie bonfire first hand. But I do know, from everything I have heard from Old Army, (from the reds of the 70s & 80s, from the yellow, chiefs and chairs of the mid to late 90s, from my brother who was out there Nov. 18th and pulled logs off two of his friends and lost three, and from those that had logs pulled off of them that night)...

THIS IS THE REAL THING

[This message has been edited by preshy boy (edited 7/31/2006 4:57p).]

Good Bull

I left out one thing:

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First thing to remeber is Bonfire never can and never will be "replaced"....

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We replaced Bonfire in '00 with sorrow, '01 with apathy, and in '02 we replaced it with a huge Bonfire and have continued to do so every year.

We can't go back in time and build '99 like we should have. We also can't package up everything from that era and carry it forward to now, because with that comes the the feeling of invincibility that caused Bonfire to fall.

Fools fail to learn from old lessons and yearn for a return to the past.

Off campus Bonfire is a safe reflection of lessons learned with a healthy dose of tradition. It's a perpetuation of the Spirit of on-campus Bonfire, a metaphoric rose by another name. It smells just as sweet.

BTHOB'06

-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.