Time marches on...

[AggieDave 6]

The 4th year approaches
with disregard for emotion time has marched on
oh time, the never changing constant in our lives
healer of past tears and creator of future fears
why have you failed me so miserably

November 19
the early morn
awoken from a fitful dream,
half naked with my work-boots and jeans beside me
why do we have roll call this early
why are my Corps buddies shaking
why are there some of us missing

racing in the mist
for every second matters
every minute wasted is another friend lost
logs askew, people working
cries for help are being heard
people cutting wire, pulling logs
this day hasn't started, it is not yet dawn

The sun breaks over a horrid site
sweat and blood poor down our brow
stress and fear continue to mount
for there are still lost under these logs
and time has run long

Its now 1pm and I hear my buddies yell
then collapse as I turn around in tears
We found Scott, our search is over
the last, number 12, is near

Numb and lost
we make it back to the Quad
to our dorm we go dirty with tears
to find the rest of our outfit’s fears
Alone to my room, I find my friend
a bottle in my desk drawer

The next day dawns
sleep found passing out last night
in dress A's Midnight we go
into the MSC to see Scott's family
who have found out only 10 minutes before

With tears we stand
holding each other we stand as one
longing for this nightmare's end
to awake and for all to be fine
but with each passing moment
reality sets deep
and there is nothing but pain in the end

That night is hard
the school turns out
to Reed Arena we go
the school speaks out
and tells the tale
of 12 lost souls

The meeting over
no one leaves
all 20,000 holding each other
one by one, around the room
together we sing Amazing Grace

The candle light memorial
followed by tearful Midnight Yell
is the harsh reality set home
Bonfire doesn't burn
candles are all we have
and taps is played as we mourn

Now time has marched on, from that fateful night
and all we have is a painful hole
where a person who touched our lives once stood
now taken from us that cold morn

Oh time, why have you lied
you said you could heal all
now I know why
even men cry
when time fails to march on

--David Lund

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[manifestbitch 0]

beautifully written dave. absolutely beautiful. None of us will ever be the same, some more so than others i'm afraid. ...........
if you need anything, i'm here. i hope you know that.
Amanda

[Viking 0]

*gives ya a big hug*

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[chaoskitty 0]

I lived in Austin at the time. The rivalry didnt matter at all.. everyone was devastated.

My cousin was in the corps and scheduled to work on the bonfire that night, but his unit leader (or whatever the correct term is) had a date that he thought was more important, thank God.

One kid from my high school was killed that night.

It hit me close to home, being so far removed. I cant imagine how it affected aggie students and families. Or rather, I dont want to imagine that.. my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to everyone who is hurting through the memory of this.

[skydyvr 0]

Very, very moving.

. . =(_8^(1)

[diverdriver 7]

Man.......nicely written Dave. No, the anniversary date doesn't really get easier. We will always remember.

[Brains 2]

Very nice dave.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

My cousin was in the corps and scheduled to work on the bonfire that night, but his unit leader (or whatever the correct term is) had a date that he thought was more important, thank God.

One kid from my high school was killed that night.

Who? I probably knew them from the Corps of Cadets.

I was supposed to be on it that night too, but I was exhausted and fell asleep in my chair when I sat down to put my work boots on.

Atleast the plans are *finally* in motion for a memorial at the site, but a better memorial would be to see Bonfire burn each year again. Sadly enough, A&M is a much different school now, the loss stopped Aggies in their tracks, the tragidy put a dark cloud over the classes of '00, '01, '02, '03. The classes of '04 and later don't understand what A&M was like. People don't even say Howdy anymore walking across campus, its lost the Aggie Family feel to it.

I look around campus and I see that I'm one of the last ones. One of the last that know what it was like and was there. The class of '04 are seniors now, '07 is walking around campus and the collective memory of Aggieland has faded fast.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[chaoskitty 0]

Chris Rudy is my cousin. He was class of '02.
I didnt know the kid from my high school but I want to say his last name was Sellers. He was much younger than me.

Yeah, I remember all that like it was yesterday.

[Casie 0]

Nicely put Dave! Sending ****HUGZ**** your way!

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[Rebecca 0]

Woah. Dave, I have tears in my eyes and a huge lump in my throat. That was really touching.

Big hugs to you, sweetie. I'm so sorry for everything A&M lost that terrible morning.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[AggieDave 6]

I had met Rudy a handful of times, but never really knew him besides in just a passing manner. Well, as Aggies go, we'll probably bump into each other again at some point, it always happens.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."