Aggies gathered at the Bonfire Memorial in the early hours of Nov. 18 for a ceremony held in honor of the 12 students who lost their lives when stack fell in 1999.
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Student Body President Bobby Brooks, Head Yell Leader Ian Moss and Corps Commander Brad Sauer led the ceremony.
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Cadets listen as “We Remember Them” is read during the early morning of Nov. 18.
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The 12 portals surrounding the Spirit Ring represent the lives of the 12 students who died when stack collapsed.
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Students and community members stand in the center of the Spirit Ring during Roll Call for the Absent.
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Cadets in E-2 stand with their pots on the ground in front of them.
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A group of cadets stood in a circle around center pole with arms around one another after the ceremony ended.
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Many Aggies stayed after the conclusion of the ceremony to take a moment of silence at center pole.
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View of the Bonfire Memorial from the 15th floor of the Oceanography and Meteorology Building.
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The entryway to the Bonfire Memorial.
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Over an hour before the ceremony was set to begin, Aggies began gathering at the Bonfire Memorial.
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The sound of gravel under shoes could be heard as people made their way to the Spirit Ring of Bonfire Memorial.
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Each portal of the Spirit Ring is oriented in the direction of the hometowns of the 12 that were lost in the collapse.
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Each portal contains a portrait, signature, and written reflection of those who perished.
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Members of Traditions Council in each portal lit a candle after the names were read.
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One gentleman in attendance played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
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Even after the conclusion of the ceremony, most in attendance remained to further reflect on the tragedy.
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After the ceremony, people in attendance took time to read the portal inscriptions, bringing tears to their eyes.
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