Softly Call The Muster

On the Back Porch

Falls County A&M Club has canceled Muster activities this year due to the novel Coronavirus……  

I have found, over the years, that a great pastime enjoyed by a lot of old timers is just to sit an’ enjoy our memories.

Sometimes, those memories involve traditions. I love traditions and just about one of the best comes from Texas A&M University. It is one of the greatest and most solemn of all traditions observed by Texas A&M. 

It’s the “Aggie Muster” and it was started in 1883.

“If there is an A&M man in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas,” urged the March 1923, Texas Aggie. 

Muster is celebrated on San Jacinto Day, April 21, throughout the world in over four hundred locations. Every Muster ceremony is the same. Texas Aggies pay their respects to all those who are absent because of death since the last Muster.

The names of the honored dead are called from the Muster Roll and a friend of the deceased answers, “HERE,” symbolizing that their memory lives on in the hearts of Aggies everywhere.

Stella and I were students at Texas A&M in the mid 1960’s, at a time when they had just started admitting women as students, so we have attended a lot of Musters. The president of Texas A&M at the time we were young Aggies was General Earl Rudder.

General Rudder was commander of the Second Ranger Battalion in World War II in Europe and had a very distinguished and colorful career. During his tenure as President of Texas A&M, he had an English Bulldog that received pert near as many privileges as “Reveille” the famed Aggie Mascot. 

Now this ol’ bulldog was naturally named “Ranger”, tho we affectionately called him “Earl” or “Rudder.”  He was sometimes accompanied by a three legged dog of mixed breed named “Tripod” as they roamed about the campus.  Ranger had free rein of the campus, being allowed into any building, including the mess halls, where he was known to mooch a meal when someone would pitch him a pork chop! 

If by chance he chose to take one of his famous naps in a classroom, the standing order was for class to be dismissed and everyone would quietly file out so “Rudder” was not disturbed. 

Alas, the classrooms were not air conditioned, but the U.S. Post Office was and “Rudder “preferred AC. Very few classes were disrupted!

His naps were famous because of the various body noises that emanated from him as he slept… snorin’ an’ such. He seemed to sense when automobile traffic was at a peak and he loved to stroll down the middle of the street at that time, backing up traffic a considerable distance.

His motive was to mooch a ride from the car he was blocking. The streets were narrow and no one could pass or even get him to move over, which he would do once he had finished his stroll or got a ride. 

He was also a living canvas for artists that would paint him up or attach signs to him. So he usually sported words like “Howdy”, “Gig’Em”, “beat the hell out of t.u.”, a current sports score, or a bulls eye strategically placed! 

Everyone spoke to him when they met him and the freshmen (fish) were required to always greet him as he passed by…….Dang! Looks like I got myself derailed and headed down another trail, but, that’s part of what you do at Muster.

You see, you gather with friends and classmates and you just naturally get started reminiscing about your days at Texas A&M. That’s exactly what your deceased friend, that you came to honor, would want you to do! WOW!!  Kinda gives you chill bumps, don’t it? Thanks for the memories, Ranger, wherever you are!    “Gig ‘Em”

 

 Softly Call The Muster

It’s Muster Day throughout the world,

as Aggies gather strong.

To salute the flag as it’s unfurled,

and to comrade… say, “So long!”

 

Our hearts were sad as darkness fell,

Aggie souls have journeyed on.

We gather quietly to bid farewell

to these fine friends we have known.

 

In reverence, Aggies come tonight,

to honor a special friend.

Good memories, that brings delight,

and helps our heart to mend.

 

We live over again, our college days,

both victory and defeat.

And to the Good Lord, give our praise

for friendships so complete.

 

A school whose start was long ago,

with hist’ry proud and true.

All Ags stand tall throughout the show,

Aggie Spirit through and through.

 

And so, as memories revive,

tho troubled we may be.

Our Aggie Spirit is alive,

and we hold to that decree.

 

Then we softly call the Muster,

comrade will answer, “HERE!”

We cherish that friendship’s luster

and quietly blink a tear.

 

The candles flicker with their light,

the bugle sounds its song.

We send a prayer upon its flight.

Good friend… we say, “So long!”

 

God bless each of you, God Bless Texas A&M, and God Bless America!

The Rosebud News

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553