Fifteen years ago an annual bonfire tower being built by Texas A&M students in advance of the upcoming Texas versus A&M football game collapsed in at 2:48 a.m.

Twelve members of the 12th Man were killed, which put an end to one of the university's longest held and most beloved traditions.

I have friends and family who attended A&M in 1999 and family and friends who attend today. All of them felt and continue to feel the repercussions of this tragedy.

Today, the bonfire build still exists in unofficial events away from campus. A bonfire memorial and Spirit Ring built at the site of the collapse is a memorial tribute to the students who died in the collapse, as well as those who worked to save their fellow students.

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