The Battalion, April 19, 2018 by The Battalion

Muster 2018 April 21 | 7 p.m. | Reed Arena

HERE. .

Former first lady

Barbara Bush 1925-2018

A life well lived

Barbara Bush will be remembered by her love for family and friends, her faith and her charitable work.

Photos courtesy of the Barbara P. Bush website, FILE

On-campus Muster ceremony on pg. 4

Class of 1968 feature on pg. 4

Final Corregidor Aggie to be honored on pg. 5

Senior Boot Bag Senior Boot Bag

NEWS

Saying goodbye to Barbara Bush

Brad Morse, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION is published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the 2018 spring semester and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

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Former first lady will be laid to rest next to her daughter By Brad Morse @BradSMorse53

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The funeral for former first lady Barbara Bush, the wife of 41st President George H.W. Bush and mother of 43rd President George W. Bush, will be held in Houston on Saturday. After the service, she will be driven to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station for her burial. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects as Barbara Bush lies in repose on Friday between noon and midnight at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, according to a statement from the Bush Library website. The funeral, which is invitation-only, will take place at 10 a.m. on

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Each student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with and to comply with the Texas A&M University Student Rules. Student Rules can be found at http://student-rules.tamu.edu.

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Saturday. According to a media release from Lt. Craig Anderson, College Station Police Department public information officer, the motorcade bringing Barbara Bush to the Bush Library will travel through College Station in the afternoon. “The motorcade will travel northbound on Texas Avenue from Highway 6 to George Bush Drive, then travel westbound on George Bush Drive to Barbara Bush Drive,” the media release said. “It is estimated that over 50 emergency vehicles will be involved, with officers controlling traffic at intersections along the route to allow passage. Traffic on Texas Avenue and George Bush Drive, as well as parking lots and cross streets along the route, will be impacted as officers block major intersections. Traffic will be limited until the motorcade passes.” Civilians who wish to pay tribute to Barbara Bush will need to park away from the route and stand on the sidewalks as the motorcade passes through College Station, the media release said. The city of College Station has requested anyone interested in watching the motorcade be in place by 2 p.m., according to the media release. The Texas A&M newswire sent an email stating the Bush Library will not be open to the public from Friday to Saturday. The museum will be open with free admission from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and will be open from noon until 8 p.m. on Sunday, also with free admission. The museum will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

with free admission on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the library will resume normal hours and admission fees. According to the Barbara Bush website, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the city of Houston will be hosting a celebration of Barbara Bush’s life on Thursday. “The former president and former first lady weren’t born in Houston but they got here as soon as they could,” Turner said in a press release Tuesday. “Mrs. Bush quickly turned to volunteerism and grassroots political work in our city. ... In her loving memory, the City of Houston and the Houston Public Library Foundation will work to complete the master planned improvements to the Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza in front of the Jesse H. Jones Central Library.” According to a press release from the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, the Bush family has requested those who wish to honor Barbara Bush’s memory to make donations to the foundation in lieu of flowers. The foundation was founded on March 6, 1989, and has provided educational opportunities for Americans of all ages in the years since. On Wednesday, Melania Trump’s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said, the current first lady will attend the Houston funeral service. At the present time, the White House has not made a comment regarding whether President Donald Trump will be attending the service.

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Courtesy of the Barbara P. Bush website

Barbara Bush will be buried at the George Bush Library and Museum next to her daughter, Robin, who died at the age of 3 from leukemia.

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The Battalion | 4.19.18

Courtesy of the Barbara P. Bush website

George H.W. and Barbara Bush pose with their dogs, Mini and Bibi.

Remembering Barbara Bush Bush’s legacy includes lifetime of charitable work and giving By Anthony Pangonas @apangonas

Courtesy of the Barbara P. Bush website

Barbara Bush attended the United Nations International Literacy Day Celebration in New York in 1989.

Courtesy of the Barbara P. Bush website

George H.W. Bush and Barbara with George W., Neil, Marvin and Jeb in Midland, Texas, circa 1957.

Throughout Barbara Pierce Bush’s life, her work to help others and bring generosity to those in need was always at the forefront of her priorities. Born on June 8, 1925, Barbara Bush’s life was filled with a love of reading. According to her biography, she was encouraged to read by her family. “She recalled that her childhood evenings were spent with her family members gathered around together,” her biography reads. “Each of them engrossed in their reading materials.” Barbara Bush’s son Neil was diagnosed with dyslexia, which pushed her to bring family literacy to national attention. According to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Barbara Bush said she believed through reading, the nation could come closer to solving its problems. “She wanted to devote her time and energy to a cause that would make a positive and meaningful difference to as many people around the country as possible,” a statement from the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy said. “As she jogged around Houston’s Memorial Park one day, she pondered everything in society that worried her: homelessness, crime, hunger and drugs. She realized that all of the conditions she was concerned about would improve if more people could read, write and comprehend.” When Barbara Bush first entered the White House as the second lady and wife of Vice President George H.W. Bush, her biography said she began to build relationships and take an active role in several literacy organizations while looking at statistics and solutions used in both child and adult literacy. Once her husband became president and she became first lady, she founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to receive grants from public and private institutions to support family literacy. Warren Finch, director of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, said the foundation

pushed to help families overall and Barbara Bush played a big role in advocating family literacy. “Her big cause was literacy, not just children’s literacy but family literacy,” Finch said. “She’s done a lot of programs for us over the years. She’s done an annual program for us that she came out and read to an audience of 600 schools students and then many years we would have 50,000 to 750,000 students watching that program live via long distance education.” According to the foundation, in the past 29 years $110 million has been raised to create and expand literacy programs in all 50 states. Finch said in addition to her work in family literacy, Barbara Bush also worked to address social issues, including homelessness, AIDS and teenage pregnancy and created a national radio program, called Mrs. Bush’s Story Time, to stress the importance of reading aloud to children. “During the vice presidency and presidency, AIDS and health issues were issues she worked with,” Finch said. “I remember her visiting children with AIDS and she took Mrs. Gorbachev to a food pantry to help others.” Peter Roussel, former press secretary to President George H.W. Bush and Warner Endowed Chair for the Department of Communication at Sam Houston State University said the work Barbara Bush did for people wasn’t about the office, it was genuine. “Barbara Bush, there’s two words that sum her up and that’s ‘she cares,’” Roussel said. “She has cared about other people from all walks of life. She’s a person that has truly cared. Over the years I’ve seen her dedicated to not only literacy, but also other charities and individuals.” After the Bush family left the presidential office, Roussel said they continued to work toward their causes and put others first. “They could have taken it easy, enjoyed themselves and enjoyed life,” Roussel said. “They chose to do for others and I think that speaks volumes about them. They just care about people and it’s totally genuine. The Bushes are what I would call ‘people people.’ I just applaud them for the approach they take to life since the presidency and before then too.”

Timeless Thoughts Quoting Barbara Bush

“If more people could read, write and compre- “If human beings are hend, we could be much perceived as potencloser to solving so many tials rather than probof the other problems our lems, as possessing country faces today.” strengths instead of

weaknesses, as unlim-

FILE

Barbara Bush read excerpts from “Rushmore” to children at the Bush School in 2015.

“Some people give time, ited rather that dull some money, some their and unresponsive, skills and connections, some literally give their then they thrive and life’s blood. But everyone grow to their capabilities.” has something to give.”

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The Battalion | 4.19.18

PROVIDED

Left: Cadets march together at Final Review in 1968. Right: General Ray Murray, Class of 1935, visited with Marine contract cadets during his 1996 visit to campus.

The Class of 1968 looks back on their time in Aggieland Members of the Class of 1968 are set to gather this weekend for Muster and their 50th reunion By Jordan Burnham @RJordanBurnham As their 50th class anniversary nears, members of the Class of 1968 will gather to reminisce on their days at Texas A&M. Class of 1968, Vietnam veteran and former Yell Leader Michael Beggs said the one thing which never goes away is the Aggie Spirit. Muster is the opportunity to renew one’s Aggie Spirit and honor those who have gone on in previous years, according to Beggs. “We have Aggies that have all different experiences of A&M itself, but Muster is a common experience for all of us,” Beggs said. “It brings all of us from each generation, and from each different experience of Aggieland together on that one day. So we can get together and talk about old times, eat a little and reminisce.” Anthony “Shady” Groves, Class of 1968 and current mayor of Brady, Texas, said much has changed at the university since

he attended as a student. His freshman year was the first year that the school was known as Texas A&M University and began admitting black students. “We were just all fish together,” Groves said. “A freshman was a freshman and a fish was a fish.” That was also the first year students were able to reside in an air conditioned dorm, and Groves moved into the dorms now known as Fowler, Hughes and Keathley the year they were built. Success was also found on the gridiron that year. “In the fall of 1967, Texas A&M won the Southwest Conference, beat Texas for the first time in 10 years and went on to the Cotton Bowl to beat the University of Alabama,” Groves said. “They finished the season 7-4, which was by far the best they had done in those years.” Groves said while much might have changed since his college days, the spirit has remained the same. “The traditions, the friendship, the attitude and the atmosphere of the students and staff are similar to what they were 50 years ago,” Groves said. After attending A&M, Grove worked for the university in Air Force ROTC and taught leadership courses for the Corps of Cadets. He said both experiences played into how he views Aggieland.

“If I was going to sum up being an Aggie in my experience in attending Texas A&M, both in the late ‘60s and working there in the late ‘90s through 2011, was that it was an experience that dramatically changed my life — in terms of the way I did things, the way I viewed things and the way I felt about my Aggie buddies,” Groves said. Emory “Dan” Daniels, Class of 1968, said A&M provided him with friendships which have lasted 50 years, and his fellow buddies from Squadron 7 were there through the recent passing of his wife, Becky Daniels. “Each one of them was right there to help me up and to hold me along,” Daniels said. Daniels is looking forward to seeing his lifelong friends and fellow Aggies this weekend at their 50th class reunion and answering “Here” at Muster. Beggs said he is grateful to his classmates and outfit buddies for electing him as Yell Leader, selecting him as a Ross Volunteer and a class agent and for being there for him through the ups and downs. “I’d like to thank Texas A&M for being the great institution that it is, and always has been and I pray always will be,” Beggs said.

A time honored tradition Thousands gather to remember the Aggies who have passed By Savannah Mehrtens @SJMehrtens

FILE

The Ross Volunteers perform a 21-gun salute at the on-campus Muster ceremony each year after the Roll Call for the Absent.

On April 21 at 7 p.m., current and former students, faculty, staff and others will gather in Reed Area to remember and honor the Aggies who have passed away in the last year. Muster is a traditional ceremony of Texas A&M which started over a century ago to remember Aggies who passed away since the last gathering, according to the Muster website. The campus Muster is a formal ceremony, while other Musters around the world can be held informally. The tradition of Muster states if there are Aggies within 100 miles of each other, they should gather, share a meal and remember their days at A&M on April 21 of each year. Kathryn Greenwade, vice president of communications and human resources at The Association of Former Students and Class of 1988, said she believes Muster is the true exposure of the core traditions of A&M “In my opinion, Muster is the greatest of our Aggie traditions because it truly boils down what being an Aggie is all about,” Greenwade said. “That’s having respect for our fellow Aggies, having loyalty to our school, having a strong affinity and connection and fondness for our university, and all of those things are included in the Muster ceremony or the Muster gathering.” Greenwade said Muster is a formal gathering at Reed Arena, but is also a night where Aggies around the world will informally gather to remember and say “Here” for the Aggies they lost in the past year.

A time for reflection, camaraderie Barbecue, Reflections Display offer opportunities for Aggies to come together before Muster By Henry Mureithi @SOCOMBlack

FILE

Muster is also a time for the 50 year class reunion.

“We will have Musters take place in over 300 locations around the world,” Greenwade said. “Those will range from more formal gatherings like we’ll have in Reed Arena with the campus Muster, to very informal casual gatherings of just a few people out of state, out of country, that will get together, share a meal and as part of that they’ll take time to remember those Aggies they knew who passed away during the last year and answer ‘Here’ for them.” According to an A&M spokesperson, former first lady Barbara Bush will have her name on next year’s Roll Call for the Absent. Waiting until the following year is typical for Aggies who pass close to Muster as it gives the family time to prepare to be at the ceremony. University President Michael K. Young will mention her in his speech. David Pham, external relations coordinator for the Aggie Muster Committee and recreation, park and tourism sciences junior, said Muster is a tradition unique to A&M. “It’s the one tradition that I believe sets us apart from other universities,” Pham said. “It’s a time that has a somber component to it because we are remembering those who have passed but also time for Aggies to come together, so that’s why we also have the camaraderie component to it, too.” This year, the Class of 1968 will be holding their 50th reunion, which will be their last reunion as a single class before joining the Sul Ross group for their 55th reunion, which will continue as such for future reunions. There will be about 386 former students in attendance for the Class of 1968, which includes their guests. They will begin gathering on April 19 and conclude on April 22, according to Greenwade.

Students and visitors will have a chance to engage in various Muster events before the Roll Call is read on April 21. Each year, Campus Muster welcomes back the class celebrating its 50 year reunion. David Pham, recreation, park and tourism sciences senior and Aggie Muster Committee external relations manager, said events are meant to not only honor the absent, but also celebrate them and those still present. “They have days full of events, including campus bus tours, the Muster Camaraderie Barbecue, Muster Reflections Display, the ceremony and reminiscing with classmates,” Pham said. On the day before Muster, April 20, there will be the Camaraderie Barbecue held on the Northeast Plaza of Kyle Field from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., which is open to everyone to attend. In attendance are usually the 50th reunion class, current and former students, families of those being honored and anyone else interested. There will also be performances by groups such as the Fish Drill Team, Yell Leaders, the Femmatas and the Aggie Wranglers. Blake Jones, Aggie Muster Camaraderie Barbecue coordinator and industrial distribution junior, said the Camaraderie Barbecue coincides with the 50th Class Reunion, which is the Class of 1968 this year. “The barbecue will be a great opportunity to connect with

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The Battalion | 4.19.18

Keynote address to celebrate lives of Aggies Kathleen Gibson, Class of ‘81, will serve as campus Muster speaker By Kathryn Whitlock @Kathryn-whitloc8 Connecting the past to the present, the Muster 2018 speaker celebrates camaraderie and remembers the lives of Aggies. On April 21 in Reed Arena, Kathleen Gibson, Class of 1981, will speak at the campus Muster ceremony. Gibson is the CEO and president of the Southwestern Medical Foundation, which supports the advancement of medical care, research and education. As an Aggie, Gibson said her memories are rich through times spent in Student Government, Mosher Dorm, the Wesley Foundation and the Century Singers. “My favorite experiences were in meeting so many wonderful people,” Gibson said. “A&M attracts the highest quality of talent and character. It is a joy to remember the friendships and our times together. We loved football games, basketball games, concerts and student activities. I remember the special feeling of Aggie traditions: the Corps marching in, the band marching, standing up for games, going to Midnight Yell, Bonfire, Muster and Silver Taps.” In 1980, Gibson met her husband on a study abroad trip in Oxford, England. Two years later they were married in the A&M Methodist church with their reception in the MSC Ballroom. “My family is the greatest treasure on this timeline,” Gibson said. “Our first daughter, Catherine, was born in 1988. Our second daughter, Sarah, was born in 1992. Catherine is a Vanderbilt graduate and Sarah is an Aggie, Class of ’15 and Bush School graduate.” After graduating in 1981, Republic Bank, now Bank of America, in Dallas was Gibson’s next chapter. Filling various roles, Gibson said banking provided limitless change and opportunity for her after graduation. “It was a fascinating time to be in banking,”

Gibson said. “After Bank of America, I joined Citibank for the next five years, from 2006 to 2011. I was invited to lead their Commercial Business in Texas and then to lead the Commercial Business for the Central Region of the US. In 2012, I joined Southwestern Medical Foundation, and have had the privilege of leading this organization during the last six years.” A Fish Camp namesake, Gibson continues to support Texas A&M. Gibson said the opportunity to introduce new students to A&M and watch their appreciation for the growth of the universitysignaled an incalculable amount of happiness. “It was such a rewarding experience to meet so many young Aggie leaders,” Gibson said. “I would do this again, if I could, in a heartbeat. I watched incredible leadership in action, and saw wonderful new Aggies learning about Texas A&M for the first time. I now know a number of kids who were in our Fish Camp and it gave me the opportunity to meet many students and young leaders I admire.” In recognition of her merits, Gibson has received numerous awards, including the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry Award, Women’s Legacy Award, Fish Camp Namesake and Distinguished Alumnus. “All of these are treasured honors I hold dear for many different and countless reasons,” Gibson said. “There are such stories that go with them; it is not the honor itself, it is the person or the people who thought you should be nominated and went to the trouble on your behalf. Humbled and grateful for our Aggie friendships does not even begin to describe the feelings.” Interwoven with the Aggie Spirit, Gibson said her role models are extraordinary Aggies who remain resolute in their principles. Gibson said not only is she grateful for the people, education and leadership experiences, but she views all aspects of A&M as remarkable. “A&M is extraordinary and special standing for the values that last,” Gibson said. “If you are drawn to leadership, A&M gives you a vast playground in which to learn and lead. If you are drawn to excellence, you will thrive

at Texas A&M. If you are drawn to service, A&M will show you how to work in service across our university and state and global community.” On Dec. 14, 2017, the Muster speaker subcommittee visited Gibson to tell her she would be the 2018 Muster speaker. “There are no words when the Muster speaker subcommittee comes to visit you,” Gibson said. “It was the greatest surprise, honor and new challenge wrapped in one. It means following in the footsteps of Aggies that you revere and want to honor. It means working very hard PROVIDED to do honor, and live up to Kathleen Gibson, Class of 1981, is a Fish Camp namesake their fine examples.” and the 2018 campus Muster speaker. Ashley Rossini, sociology senior, is the speaker executive for Aggie former Yell Leaders or student body presMuster Committee. Rossini said the position idents. Most campus Muster speakers have of Muster speaker is open for nominations been former students, but the one thing in from anyone. Unable to provide details due common with all the speakers was an underto a secretive process, Rossini said around 120 standing of the special tradition of Muster and people were assessed. what it means to be an Aggie.” “We really want a person that represents According to O’Beirne, Muster encomthe core values and understands the Aggie passes a variety of meanings, which range Spirit,” Rossini said. “We chose Gibson for from an empowering moment to a healing a couple of reasons. Number one being her moment. Inevitably inspired, O’Beirne said resume. She is truly an incredible woman and Gibson radiates humility with a gracious heart. is so accomplished. But the thing that real“To hear a new perspective from an inly stood out about Kathleen was who she is spiring former student who has given back a person. She is intentional, soft, honest and so much to this university is something I raw-sounding. She draws you in not by being have been looking forward to since the mooverwhelming, but because you’re so drawn ment Mrs. Gibson accepted the invitation,” in that you want to know more.” O’Beirne said. ”I have been lucky enough to Claire O’Beirne, biomedical sciences se- meet Mrs. Kathleen Gibson twice now and nior, has served as a Muster host for three she is this amazing former student. She has years and now is the speaker liaison on Muster done so much for Texas A&M and it is so Committee. evident how much this honor to speak at the “Muster speakers from the past have var- on-campus Muster ceremony has meant to ied greatly,” O’Beirne said. “Some have been her.” veterans, others prominent politicians, others

Present at Corregidor, remembered at 2018 Muster Aggies honor the life of William Hamilton Jr., the last Aggie survivor of Muster on the Rock By Jane Turchi @JaneTurchi This Saturday, Aggies will celebrate the life of William Hamilton Jr., the last survivor from Muster on the Rock at Corregidor. Hamilton Jr. was one of 12 Aggies who survived the battle at Corregidor and Japanese prisoner of war camps to see the end of World War II. A husband, father and bridge engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad, Hamilton Jr. passed away Jan. 4, 2018, at the age of 99. Hamilton Jr. graduated from Texas A&M in 1940 with a degree in civil engineering, then finished military training in 1941 and was immediately assigned to active duty. Initially having volunteered to serve in Hawaii, Hamilton Jr. was assigned lieutenant in command of an anti-aircraft unit on Corregidor Island in the Philippines. Before the war, Hamilton Jr. met Margaret Jacobs after sneaking into a party. Upon his return from the war, Hamilton Jr. married Jacobs in Dallas and started a family. Hamilton Jr.’s son, William Hamilton III, now lives in Olathe, Kansas. “It’s really amazing, particularly if you knew him,” Hamilton III said. “For him to have lived through all that and then lived to age 99 is really extraordinary particularly including some of the hardships that he went through including a lot of malnutrition.” Inspired in his youth by a school project to investigate his family history, Hamilton III first began to discover what his father experienced. Years later, still interested in the idea, he published a biography of his father titled “Family Legacy: Hamilton, Haynes, Hyder Taylor and other Family Histories.” “He mentioned that Philippine Guerrillas used to help American prisoners of war escape from the prisoner of war camps,” Hamilton III said, “And as an indication of how young I was, my first thought was, ‘Wow, even the animals were fighting on the American’s side.’ And by gorillas, he meant guerrillas.” Christopher Henson is a member of the Aggie Muster Committee. He recently gave a presentation about Hamilton Jr.’s life and service before the committee to honor Hamilton and his family. “With the Muster tradition, it entirely starts with the event [Muster on the Rock] that Lt. Col. Hamilton was at,” Henson said. “A lot of people really don’t realize the history of Muster this past generation of Aggies, eat great barbecue and enjoy time with fellow students before on-campus Muster the following day,” Jones said. Tickets for the 2018 Camaraderie Barbecue are $10 and can be purchased at the MSC, Sbisa, Duncan, the Commons, Ag Cafe or on the day of at Kyle Field Plaza. The Reflections Display is a living memorial of all of the Aggies on the roll call and the first real glimpse most people get into the lives behind those in the Muster Roll Call, according to Aggie Muster Reflections Display coordinators Martin Osorio, biomedical sciences senior, and Amy Burdette, international studies junior. “The display is a collection of letters, pictures and other items of personal interest that help add a face to the names of those who will be called at this year’s on-campus Muster ceremony,” Burdette said. “In the past, many families have shared items ranging from Aggie Rings and memorabilia from organizations or activities they were involved with to a bowl of the honoree’s favorite candy. This year’s honored families range from World War II veterans to current students.” The families of each honoree are is invited to setup a display in remembrance of their loved one. These displays are setup in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center for the entire week prior to and on April 21. Muster hosts will be stationed throughout the Flag Room to assist any visitors.

on that side. A lot of people associate it just with the campus Muster, but the traditions are that 1942 Muster.” On May 6, 1942, Hamilton Jr. was among the soldiers under Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright who were ordered to surrender to Japanese forces. He was a prisoner of war for the next three-and-a-half years until he was liberated in August 1945. “A lot of people don’t realize what all of those people went through afterwards,” Henson said. “Because right after they had that Muster … they were fighting their last little bit at keeping Corregidor. Bataan had already surrendered. And that time is what is referred to as the Bataan Death March.”

According to Hamilton III’s book, his father was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Hamilton III said his father was able to keep his Aggie Ring with him during the entire war and captivity in Japan. “He was able to keep his A&M class ring. Even though he was ordered to quite frequently lay all of his possessions out … he was able to palm that ring and then bury it and he kept that ring during the entire war,” Hamilton III said. “It’s really an American hero’s story and obviously to the degree that it fixes on Texas A&M and the history of A&M, the history of Aggie Muster is really quite significant.”

PROVIDED

William Hamilton Jr., the last survivor from Muster on the Rock at Corregidor, passed away in January 2018.

FILE

The Muster Reflections are on display in the MSC Flag Room the week before and on April 21.

“Here,” a collection of previous Muster speeches at Texas A&M University, was published on Feb. 19, 2018. Jerry Cullum Cooper, Class of 1963, edited the book, which contains the 72 keynote Muster addresses at Texas A&M at the time of publication. According to a press release by Texas A&M University Press, the speeches “continue a hallowed tradition that honors those who have gone before and inspires those who remain.” “Here” can be purchased at tamupress.com.

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The Battalion | 4.19.18

Mike Beggs marches into Kyle Field during Rally to the Guidons on Nov. 5, 2017. Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Bonded by Corps brotherhood Mike Beggs, Class of 1968, made it out of Vietnam alive thanks to a fellow Aggie saving his life By Angel Franco @angelmadison_ Mike Beggs, Class of 1968 and former Yell Leader, nearly lost his life after stepping on a landmine in the Vietnam jungle in January of 1971. Beggs was airlifted out of the jungle and taken to safety, and years later he found out the person who saved his life was someone he endured his freshman year in the Corps of Cadets with. Beggs, who at the time was serving as the commander of the Combined Unit Pacification Program of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, was walking through the jungle when his unit began taking fire. “I stepped on a land mine,” Beggs said. “I was very fortunate that — first of all — it didn’t kill me. Second, it didn’t take any of my legs or arms, as they normally do. Particularly the thing I stepped on, which was an artillery shell.” The mine, which according to Beggs did not completely ex- plode, caused temporary paralysis below his waist and temporary blindness. “The explosive charge that they had packed the shell with didn’t fully detonate,” Beggs said. “It did enough to cause me significant damage, but not enough to kill me or rip legs off. The stuff that flew into my eyes had blinded me temporarily and apparently I pinched some kind of nerve where I couldn’t feel anything from the waist down.” The location where Beggs suffered his injury was a dense

portion of the jungle where it would not have been easy for a helicopter to land. According to Beggs, the only way for him to be taken out of the combat zone was with a piece of equipment known as the ‘Jungle Penetrator.’ “Three things could happen when [the Jungle Penetrator] was deployed and two of them were bad,” Beggs said. According to Beggs, although the Jungle Penetrator would make it to the ground, there was no guarantee it would make it back up. If the lift were to get stuck in the trees and anchor down the helicopter, soldiers would be forced to cut the wire. Another risk was the line attached to the helicopter could snap, sending the injured soldier to his death. “The third thing that could happen was that things would go as they were supposed to and the wounded Marine would get hauled up into the helicopter and taken to medical treatment,” Beggs said. Due to the safety concerns, the Jungle Penetrator had been ordered to not be used. However, once the pilot, known to Beggs as Peachbush 1-7, heard the severity of Beggs’ injury, he disobeyed orders and used the device. Luckily for Beggs, the ex- traction was smooth and before he knew it, he was on the CH-46 helicopter being transported to the nearest hospital. “I feel hands pulling me inside [the helicopter] and untying me from the Jungle Penetrator and the corpsman who was in the helicopter knew that I couldn’t see anything, so he bends down and tells me — while the sniper is shooting at the helicopter — ‘You’re going to be okay,’” Beggs said. After this, Beggs said he lost consciousness. However, he said he was ‘one happy Marine lieutenant’ once he woke up and realized he could see, still had his legs and could wiggle his toes.

Nearly 40 years later, Beggs and several of his classmates who were members of Squadron One were corresponding via email after Ed Freeman, helicopter pilot who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, had died. “I wrote back, ‘God bless Ed Freeman and all helicopter pilots like him. I owe my life to a helicopter pilot who did what was needed, rather than what was permissible, I don’t know who he was, but his call sign was Peachbush 1-7 and I owe my life to that brave Marine helicopter pilot,’” Beggs said. Beggs said the response he got from the email changed his life. “About five minutes later, I get another email message from one of those guys that was on the list and it was from Charlie Rodenburg, my fellow classmate and fellow Hustlin-1 buddy,” Beggs said. “The entire text of that message said, ‘Mike, Peach- bush 1-7 was yours truly. Semper Fi, Charlie.’” Beggs said he couldn’t believe the man who saved his life, despite the danger, was a classmate. “Forty years. Not only an Aggie, but a classmate [and] an outfit buddy that saved my life,” Beggs said. “I picked up the phone, I called him and we chatted and I thanked him for saving my life.” Charlie Rodenburg, Class of 1968, died in 2011 and Beggs spoke at his funeral. “Charlie Rodenburg was the type of man that would always do what needed rather than what was permissible,” Beggs said. “Peachbush 1-7 has checked off the net but never out of our hearts. Godspeed Charlie. All my life, a classmate and a friend saved my life. ... I am here because of Charlie Rodenburg.”

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‘Let comrade answer here’ Worldwide name reading will include 1,612 Aggies on Saturday By Savannah Mehrtens @SJMehrtens For the first time ever, the worldwide Muster roll call will be read in it’s entirety on campus at The Association of Former Students for the 2018 Muster Ceremony. Beginning at sunrise on April 21, two speakers will read the roll call of Aggies who have passed away in the past year and answer “Here” to honor their memory. Typically, roll call happens during the Muster ceremony and only lists people who fall under the categories established by the Aggie Network, but this will be an all encompassing list which is expected to last hours and will be read by selected people who will rotate as needed. Kathryn Greenwade, vice president of communications and human resources at The Association of Former Students and Class of 1988, said this will be the first time this type of roll call has happened. “To our knowledge, there has never been a reading of the entire worldwide Muster roll call in a single location on campus,” Greenwade said. “The campus Muster has always included students and then a few selected others, including the honored reunion class, professors and maybe a few others. There has never been a single reading that included every name, so this year will be the first time we will do that.” According to the Muster website, 1,612 names will be called this year. “We have a group of about 50 volunteers, which include A&M administrators, leadership of the Association, of the 12th Man Foundation, of the Texas A&M Foundation, student leadership [and] class agents from the Class of ‘68, which are the honored class for this Muster,” Greenwade said. “This group of volunteers will be reading each name and then someone will answer ‘Here’ for each name.” The roll call will be viewable live online at AggieNetwork.com. The audio will be played along with rolling images of the university and previous Muster ceremonies. “I think it’s important because we want to make sure that every Aggie has someone answered ‘Here’ for them,” Greenwade said. “And this provides a way for us to ensure that happens.” David Pham, recreation, park and tourism

sciences junior and external relations coordinator for the Aggie Muster Committee, said the on-campus Muster will remain the same and consist of Aggies who fall under the Aggie Network’s established criteria. Pham said there are 113 names on the roll call for the on-campus Muster ceremony. “We have the Roll Call for the Absent that is read at the ceremony, so it’s usually all the names of Aggies who fit the criteria for campus Muster,” Pham said. “Such as current students, some family members of current students, professor of tenor, Aggies who lost their lives on active duty and so forth.” Pham said the reading at the Association will include everyone in the worldwide roll call. He said the method of one person reading the roll call and another person saying “Here” will ensure each Aggie is spoken for. “In the past I believe it’s to where it’s just displayed on the screen, it’s just scrolled up throughout the day, but this time they are doing a live reading of it,” Pham said. “As for this year’s ceremony, for the roll call it’s still going to be the same, we still have a little bit over 100 names read and honored at the campus Muster.”

“I think it’s important because we want to make sure that every Aggie has someone answered ‘Here’ for them, and this provides a way for us to ensure that happens.” -Kathryn Greenwade

vice president of communication and human resources at The Association of Former Students

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