Softly call the Muster: A Hallowed Texas A&M Tradition
Muster is a Texas A&M tradition that will have a special place in the hearts of Aggies forever. It is a time to remember, honor, and celebrate.
Muster began in some capacity in 1883 and grew over the decades. No matter the forum, it was always a place to remember the good ‘ol days and enjoy the company of Aggies. In 1922 it was decided that April 21 would become the official day for Muster. Like every Aggie knows, once it had happened twice it was officially a tradition.
"Aggie Muster is a tradition unique to Texas A&M University that embodies and perpetuates the Aggie Spirit. Celebrated on April 21st every year, Muster engages thousands of Aggies worldwide to honor and celebrate the Aggie Family – past, present, and future. It is famously quoted “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.” Although over a century has passed and thousands of Musters have been held, the roots remain the same of honoring the Aggies who have passed and celebrating those gathered together. – muster.tamu.edu/about_muster"
Perhaps the most famous Muster occurred in 1942 on the island of Corregidor in the Philippines during World War II. It was there that Aggie soldiers defending the island gathered together to take role and honor those of their friends that had died defending the island. Four years later, more than 100 Aggies who had served in the Pacific returned to Corregidor to remember those men.
2017 Muster Information
Campus muster will be hosted at Reed Arena promptly at 7 p.m. CT. This year’s keynote speaker is Eddie Joe Davis Jr., Class of 1967. Davis served as the commander of the Corps of Cadets in 1966 under the university president James Earl Rudder.
Can’t make it to Reed Arena on Friday? A live stream will is available here.
Aggie Muster is hosted throughout the world. You can find your nearest Muster location here. There are 284 sponsored Musters in 2017, and countless other gatherings of Aggies to remember those that came before.
Next: Aggie Baseball Traditions Primer
Softly call the muster, let comrade answer: “Here”.
Here