MUSTER HISTORY AND CEREMONY
MUSTER HISTORY
Muster is held annually on April 21 in remembrance of Aggies who have passed. The inspiration for Muster's official date can be traced back to San Jacinto Day, a Texas holiday that celebrates the state’s defeat of the Mexican Army in the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1899, the Corps of Cadets decided to host their own celebrations on Texas A&M's campus and held a San Jacinto Field Day on April 21.
During the world wars, this tradition of meeting on April 21 evolved to include a memorial for those who were absent. In World War I, Aggies met all over the trenches of Europe and at Army posts throughout the U.S.
The most famous Aggie Muster was held during World War II in 1942 on the small island of Corregidor in the Philippines. Maj. Gen. George Moore, Class of 1908, directed that a list be made of all Aggies fighting on Corregidor. The story of Aggies honoring San Jacinto Day was wired back to the U.S. and made headlines, encouraging a war-weary nation.CEREMONY INFORMATION
It's said "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."
Like other Muster ceremonies, the campus event honors current and former students in the local community. It lasts all day, starting with a flag-raising ceremony at sunrise. The 50-year reunion class is invited back to campus for a Camaraderie Barbecue, where they tell old Aggie “war stories,” and current students share their Aggie experiences.
The doors open at 5 p.m. for the ceremony in Reed Arena, and the ceremony itself begins at 7 p.m. If you plan to attend Muster on site, it's encouraged that you arrive early, as the arena is expected to fill quickly. The Muster ceremony typically lasts for two hours.
Those on the Muster Roll Call for the Absent meet one of five criteria:
- Students currently enrolled at Texas A&M University
- Former students currently serving on active duty military in the last year
- Current Texas A&M University faculty and staff that passed away in the present year or retired/relocated within the past four years
- Former students who have an immediate family member that are currently enrolled at Texas A&M University at the time of their passing
- Members of the 50-Year Reunion Class who have passed away in the current year
