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College alumni muster at local campus

  • Published
  • By Capt. Patrick Cordova
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Servicemembers recently attended an "Aggie" muster on a Texas A&M University campus in Southwest Asia.

The earliest musters began in 1883. In 1903, the muster coincided with the San Jacinto Day, April 21st; the day Texas won its independence from Mexico. Musters vary in size and scope, but all share a common theme.

"Aggie Muster is a special event that brings Aggies together to remember their time at A&M and reflect on memories of lost classmates, "said Capt. Allen Rich, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Host Nation Coordination Cell liaison officer.

In 1942, Aggie Muster gained international recognition when 25 men, led by Maj. Gen. George Moore, mustered during the Japanese siege of the Philippine island of Corregidor. Since then, muster has taken on a special significance for military alumni.
"The school is steeped in traditions," said Brig. Gen. Stephen Wilson, 379 AEW commander and Texas A&M Alumni. "Aggies hold true to many of the same core values that our Air Force does: service, commitment to excellence, loyalty and honor."

This muster was a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. Men and women, in their traditional native dress, were linked arm-and-arm or stood shoulder-to-shoulder with non-Arab classmates.

"This is the first truly international muster that I have attended." said Capt. Rich. "Seeing students from the Persian Gulf share in something that has been so unique to our school, and find meaning in such an event, was truly humbling. It is very powerful to see the Aggie spirit reach across cultures."

The significance of this particular muster, with representatives from diverse regions of the world, was not lost on this year's student body.

"We desire our sense of fellowship to spread to people in all schools and nations in order to bring the men and women of the world into a new bond of friendship and mutual understanding," said Anirudha Chowdhury, Traditions Council member at the Texas A&M campus here. "May this occasion inspire us to be strong in body, keen in mind, and friendly in society."