Photo Story: Bonfire Remembrance, 25 years later

Hannah Harrison and Chris Swann

November 18, 2024

Three of the 12 portals stand illuminated during the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Chris Swann

Members of the Corps of Cadets walk past the Last Corps Trips Wall in Memorial Plaza before the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Today’s generation of Aggies might find it difficult to connect with the Bonfire collapse. Being 25 years removed from the tragedy can make it hard for students to understand the visceral emotions and poignant loss of that night. The Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony serves as a reminder to students to always remember the 12 lives lost and to perpetuate the enduring Aggie spirit.

But to those who were students at the time, the ceremony was a personal reminder of a day they will never forget.

Members of the Corps of Cadets walk past the Last Corps Trips Wall in Memorial Plaza before the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Chris Swann)

Bonfire collapse survivor Bill Davis, Class of 2002, speaks to members of the Corps of Cadets about his experience trapped in the stack after the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Bill Davis, class of 2002, and one of the 27 survivors pulled out of the stack, attended the ceremony with his wife Amber, Class of 2003.

“Seeing [students] span all the way around — to me, it’s touching,” Bill said. “Being a former student, I’ve been through it. But I expect them out here also, and I love that they are.”

Bonfire collapse survivor Bill Davis, Class of 2002, speaks to members of the Corps of Cadets about his experience trapped in the stack after the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Harrison)

Members of E-2 Company set helmets down in front of them before the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Harrison)

Bill was a sophomore pot for the Aston crew and Amber was a freshman.

“[Bill] wasn’t even supposed to be on there because he was leadership role.” Amber said, “But because they were doing the pass down for the next class to become a pot he was on stack.”

25 years later, the Rememberence Ceremony is still meaningful to Aggies who never experienced the event firsthand.

The Bonfire memorial stands illumated as attendees hold candles in honor of the 12 fallen Aggies during the Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Chris Swann)

Biomedical sciences junior Mireille Pereira sits on the brim overlooking the memorial after the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Harrison)

Regardless of the relationship between older and newer generations, Bonfire’s significance will always remain the same.

A member of the Corps of Cadets reads the written reflection within one of the 12 portals during the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Chris Swann)

The Spirit Wall at the entrance to the Tradition Plaza following the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Chris Swann)

People walk down the History Walk section of the Bonfire Memorial as they arrive before the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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Bonfire collapse survivor John Comstock, Class of 2003, sits outside the memorial before the Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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A bagpiper plays on the top of the brim outside the Spirit Ring during the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Chris Swann

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Two attendees sit on the brim outside the Spirit Ring during the Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Chris Swann

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Members of E-2 Company set helmets down in front of them before the Bonfire emembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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A member of the Corps of Cadets holds a candle during the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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Members of E-2 Company set helmets down in front of them before the Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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A gaurd stands inside a portal before the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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Members of the Corps of Cadets stand outside the Spirit Ring during the Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Chris Swann

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Money and candles laid in honor of the 12 fallen Aggies on the concrete marking center stack after the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at the Bonfire Memorial on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Photo by Hannah Harrison

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