Softly Call The Muster

Family Photos

As Aggies gather world wide to remember fallen Aggies, we think of those who are no longer with us.

In the MSC, there has been a display of pictures and memorabilia from the families of Aggies who have died. Now, people are gathering at Reed Arena in College Station, on campus, to participate in the largest of the Aggie Musters. One of the most solemn of Aggie traditions, Aggies gather around the world to observe this occasion.

We will watch Muster on tv and listen for the names of those we might have known.

Top Photo: Emil Conitz Jr. Emil didn't get to attend A&M. His father thought it best for him to go to business school in Galveston although Coach Kyle tried his best to get him to come to A&M to play ball-baseball in particular. They wanted him to play so badly that offers were made. The story is that they even promised to name the football field after him. Since he didn't go, it was named for Coach Kyle. Emil graduated from Galveston Business College, just months before the great 1900 storm. He opened his dry goods store in Calvert in 1901 and operated it until he died. He loved the Aggies, though, and supported them all his life.

On Sundays, family drives often led to campus "to see the boys" and he looked forward to games. H encouraged signs in the store windows, supporting the Aggies as traffic flowed through Calvert on Highway 6.

The photo was taken in his store, when Emil was in his 90s, after the head coach at A&M gave Emil the Aggie cap and an elevator pass so he could be sure and see the games at Kyle Field. They called him the oldest Aggie fan. He was giving a gig em sign for me as I took this picture.

There couldn't have been a more loyal Aggie. I'm sure that he was one who bled maroon. He died at age 96.

Middle Photo- Jamey-"My little Aggie"-

He didn't live long enough to go to college, but we all had hopes that he would be the first to go to A&M and graduate as an Aggie. In this photo, he was dressed in his Aggie sweatshirt and giving an Aggie gig em sign. He died at age 11, after this photo was taken.

Bottom Photo-Alfred Conitz-

Alfred graduated from Calvert High School, just in time for the Depression. The class of 1929. It had not hit yet, but he went to college, and made his father proud by going to A&M. He intended to be a cotton classifier. And he was so proud of being on the freshman football team. But, then, the bottom dropped out of the cotton market, so there went that career. And the Great Depression struck. Other students were dropping out, so Alfred did too, and went to work.

Like his father, though, he was always crazy about the Aggies. He liked the family rides to "see the boys" and played around with the Aggie sayings and traditions. At family dinners, we always thought he was speaking German by asking people to pass the cush or pootie or gunwadden. In recent years, we discovered that we were not learning German at all, but it is what they called food items in the dining hall at A&M! Cush was dressing, Pootie was turkey, gunwadding was bread, sky juice was water, sawdust was sugar, etc. He liked to tease and no one told us younger ones any different.

He kept his wool Aggie uniform. And he backed the Aggies completely. He had his wife and sister in law play favorites on the piano like "There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight" and the "Aggie War Hymn". And woe be unto anyone who talked of anything but the game during the Aggie football games, especially the big Aggie-Texas Thanksgiving Day game.

While he didn't remain at A&M to graduate, he was a loyal Aggie until his death at age 72.

I'm sure that they were never remembered by having their names called at an Aggie Muster, but, surely, they were as loyal as any Aggies can be.

So, on Aggie Muster, I am remembering them.

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It's going to be another memorable Muster at Reed Arena this evening. Robert Gates, Defense Secretary and former president of A&M is going to be here along with other dignitaries. The candle lighting and roll call, and the Ross Volunteers marching in the darkness is always amazing.

You can watch on KBTX tv and also KAMU tv.

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Watch the storks!

http://www.bociany.edu.pl/

They had 5 eggs in the nest, the last time I checked. Unfortunately, there are 2 plastic bags in the nest, that those of us who have been watching the storks are concerned about. Hope someone can get those out before they harm the parents or babies.

Look on my sidebar under Stork Sites to see more stork sites. They are fascinating!

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Calvert is getting ready for their big spring tour of homes April 25. A lot of free things going on there including music and a street dance at night. There will be a quilt show. Several descendants of figures from Texas history will be there on Friday night for a presentation and there will be a tour of homes. You will need tickets for those two events.

The weather is supposed to be perfect, so be sure to go to Calvert and enjoy the weekend.

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If you like the tv program, "Last of the Summer Wine", you might enjoy this website.

http://www.lastofthesummerwine.net/index.html

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This is also a solemn day in Texas history. It's San Jacinto Day. There are observances being held for that memorable time. On FaceBook, the Sam Houston group page told about observances recognizing that historic battle in the Houston area. This is the battle, after the Alamo, that turned the tide for Texas Independence, when the Texas Army defeated the Mexican army and captured Santa Ana.

There is an impressive monument, the San Jacinto Monument, which we toured as students in Calvert-many years ago. If you haven't been, you should make it a point to go. The Battleship Texas is also on display there.

A day of rememberance.

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