Current and former students greeted and conversed with one another before Muster on Tuesday, recalling old and new experiences in Aggieland.

The Muster Committee hosted its Camaraderie Barbecue in front of Kyle Field to celebrate the reunion of students from the Class of 1965 and encourage communion with current students.

The barbecue featured guest performances from the Aggie Wranglers, Fish Drill Team and guest appearances from the Yell Leaders and Head Coach Kevin Sumlin.

The Muster committee has worked tirelessly to put on the barbecue, and to see it happening brings a sense of accomplishment, said Brenna Thompson, one of two Camaraderie Barbecue coordinators.

“It’s been really awesome since we’ve worked hard to improve it,” Thompson said. “Every year we try to come up with something better than the last.”

Thompson said the best part of the Camaraderie Barbecue is to see how the reunited classes respond to the event.

“We do our best to bring in students each year because that’s the former students’ favorite part,” said Thompson. “We always try to get more students to come out so that they can interact with the reunion members.”

Current students have the chance to learn more about how former students see and interact with A&M now that they are back on campus, said Gerald Kirk, aerospace engineering sophomore.

“Whenever I’ve had a chance to sit down with these people, a lot have such passion,” Kirk said. “Passion for A&M, passion for what they believe in here, whether it is for the Corps, fraternities or sororities.”

Sitting down with the former students also provides insight into the past, Kirk said.

“They offer such a wonderful perspective,” Kirk said. “They are more than willing to share stories about their time here, and that refreshes your view of A&M.”

Although decades have passed, seeing current students still valuing the importance of traditions brings joy to former students who have long left the university, said Frank Cox, former Head Yell Leader for the Class of 1965.

“I don’t get to come to this every year, but when I do it’s always a great time,” Cox said. “It’s another time to get around with old friends and students, eat good food, have good fellowship and of course be back on campus.”

Though not all are present at the barbecue, and some will have their names called at the Roll Call for the Absent, it remains a joyous time, Cox said.

“It’s really a celebration of life,” Cox said. “It’s a celebration of God’s greatest gift — it’s a celebration of the lives of those who have passed on.”

Santiago Ceron, the second Camaraderie Barbecue coordinator, said the barbecue is always a huge success and always resonates with the reunion members.

“They are always excited to come back because things have changed dramatically and then they have the chance to tell students how life was and how life is now, and then share their perspective on what students will experience,” Ceron said.

Though the barbecue is second to the Muster ceremony, it is always a crowd favorite, Ceron said.

“Though the ceremony happens tonight, this is still the highlight of any reunion class,” said Ceron. “Out of any 50-year reunion class, I have been told that they are extremely thankful for this event, as it celebrates them still being together through anything and everything.”