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Parsons Mounted Cavalry

Parsons Mounted Cavalry Remembers Bonfire

November 18, 2022 by rnelson

On Nov. 18, 1999, tragedy struck Aggieland when the annual Bonfire stack collapsed, killing 11 current students and one former. For just over two decades, Aggies from all corners of the world have come together on the anniversary of the tragedy to remember the twelve that were lost.

This year, for the 23rd anniversary, additional memorial efforts were made to honor the fallen. For the first time ever at Midnight Yell, Parsons Mounted Cavalry brought two additional cannons to Kyle Field for a special 12-shot volley demonstration.

“Due to this year’s Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony falling on the same night as Midnight Yell, the Texas A&M Traditions Council proposed we make a special addition to Midnight Yell. Working with Traditions Council and the Yell Leaders, we decided that Parsons Mounted Cavalry would perform a 12-shot volley from two of our artillery pieces in honor of the twelve victims. This is the first artillery commemoration of the tragedy since November 25, 1999, when the victims were first honored,” Luke Jenkins ‘23, Commanding Officer of Parsons Mounted Cavalry, said.

As Parsons Mounted Cavalry prepared for these special efforts, Cole Swinnea ‘23, PMC’s Section Chief, said that it reminded him of the strength of the Aggie family.

“Being able to honor the twelve victims, even after 23 years, embodies what it means to be an Aggie and a part of the Aggie family. Even though they are no longer with us, their spirit and what they did for Texas A&M still remains in our hearts and minds. No university in the nation does something like this to honor fallen students, and I feel honored to attend a school that takes such pride in preserving traditions like bonfire remembrance and historic sites like the Bonfire Memorial. It humbles me to be able to be a part of something so great.”

Of the victims, two-thirds were members of the Corps of Cadets, an organization that had been deeply embedded in the building of Bonfire since its start. As he reflected on the stories of the fallen, Swinnea said there is one name in particular that stands out to him.

“One of the victims of the Bonfire stack collapse was Christopher Lee Heard ’03. He passed away as a freshman in Company K-2, the same outfit that I am from. He attended high school at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, which is also my hometown,” Swinnea said. “These small similarities have made me realize that life can be taken away at any moment in time, even as a freshman in the Corps, so you should really cherish those around you and value your interactions and time spent with them.”

Though 23 years have passed, the memory of the 12 victims has not faded for the Texas A&M community.

“Bonfire is a somber tradition. However, we should remember the fallen for who they were as people and what they stood for while attending this university. We should rejoice that we were able to know them as people, to know them through their stories and life experiences. It’s important to remember and commemorate past Aggies for what they did for the university during their time here, no matter how long ago it was. Once you become an Aggie, you join a family whose bonds can’t be broken,” Jenkins said.

No matter how many years have passed, Aggies of the past, present and future will come together to remember the twelve young lives that were lost on Nov. 18, 1999. Their embodiment of the Aggie Spirit lives on within each of us, and is something that Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets will strive to remember for many generations to come.

 

In memory of:

Miranda Denise Adams ‘02, Christopher D. Breen ‘96, Michael Stephen Ebanks ‘03, Jeremy Richard Frampton ‘99, Jamie Lynn Hand ‘03, Christopher Lee Heard ‘03, Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr ‘03, Lucas John Kimmel ‘03, Bryan A. McClain ‘02, Chad A. Powell ‘03, Jerry Don Self ‘01, Nathan Scott West ‘02.

Here.

Story by: Robin Nelson '22

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: Bonfire Memorial, Cadet Leadership, Corps of Cadets, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, pmc, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

Caroline Sauter ’23

November 16, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Major: Civil Engineering

Outfit: Company E-2

The current Public Relations, Recruiting and Finance Officer for Second Regiment, Caroline Sauter ’23 is originally from Company E-2. During her sophomore year in E-2, Caroline served as the second handler to Miss Reveille.

In addition to her work with Second Regiment, Caroline is a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry, where she serves as the Sophomore Training Officer. In this role, Caroline works to prepare the Class of 2025 to be confident in their skills and become a part of something greater than themselves. 

“The Corps has given me many opportunities to develop my leadership throughout each class year and at the outfit, major unit, and special unit levels. I can see the lessons that I have learned directly relate to what I will be experiencing in the workforce, and I am confident that I will be able to overcome and learn from any situation thrown my way. I am proud to be a member of the Corps of Cadets because of all that it has done to help me set, maintain and achieve my goals,” Caroline said of her time in the Corps.

After graduation, Caroline plans to work for a Civil Engineering firm and obtain her Practice of Engineering Certificate. 

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Filed Under: 2023, Cadet Profiles Tagged With: Cadet Leadership, Company E-2, Corps of Cadets, E-2 Rebels, Mascot Company, Out Of State Cadets, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, pmc, Texas A&M, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

Cole Swinnea ’23

November 2, 2022 by rnelson

Cole Swinnea poses next to cannon

Hometown: Harlingen, Texas

Major: Agricultural Systems Management (minor in Business)

Outfit: Company K-2

Cole Swinnea '23 is a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry, where he currently serves as the Half Section Chief for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to his involvement with PMC, Cole is a member of Company K-2, where he currently serves as the outfit’s Inspector General Officer.

In his free time, Cole enjoys working out and spending time at Fiddler’s Green. 

“Throughout my time in the Corps, especially within the Cavalry, I have seen a great development in my leadership abilities and work ethic, which I look forward to using to benefit my future goals in the agriculture career field,” Cole said of his time in the Corps. 

After graduation, Cole plans to work in the cattle feed production industry.

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Filed Under: 2023, Cadet Profiles Tagged With: Cadet Leadership, Company K-2, Corps of Cadets, K-2 Killers, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, pmc, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

Jack Detten ’23

October 4, 2022 by rnelson

Jack Detten '23

Hometown: Hereford, Texas

Major: Animal Science with a minor in Genetics

Outfit: Company A-1

The current Commanding Officer for Company A-1, Jack Detten ’23 serves the Quad as the Pistol Training Officer for Parsons Mounted Cavalry and as a member of the O.R. Simpson Honor Society. 

Off the Quad, Jack is active in the American Society of Animal Science’s Academic Quadrathlon Team (2021-2022 Reserve National Champions), is an Ambassador for the Animal Science Department, and is a member of Texas A&M’s Saddle and Sirloin Club. In the 2019-2020 academic year, Jack was a member of Texas A&M’s National Champion Wool Judging Team. 

“The Corps of Cadets has allowed for the simultaneous development of character, leadership, and interpersonal competencies alongside my education in a way that would not be possible anywhere else. It gave me a family and home away from home. If I could, I would go back and do it all over again,” Jack said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Jack plans to attend veterinary school and serve in the U.S. Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer. After his time in the Army, Jack would like to open up a mixed animal practice in West Texas or the Panhandle. 

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Filed Under: 2023, Cadet Profiles Tagged With: Animal A-1, Cadet Leadership, Company A-1, Corps of Cadets, Off The Quad Involvement, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, pmc, Texas A&M, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

Luke Jenkins ’23

September 7, 2022 by rnelson

Luke Jenkins '23

Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas

Major: Political Science

Outfit: Company D-1

The current Commanding Officer for Parsons Mounted Cavalry, Luke Jenkins '23 is also a member of Company D-1. Outside of his involvement on the Quad, Luke is active in the MSC's Student Conference On National Affairs (SCONA).

“The Corps experience has opened up pathways to develop myself as a leader and role model. I want to be able to leave behind a legacy and a model that underclassmen can follow to improve themselves and the Corps as a whole,” Luke said.

After graduation, Luke plans to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. 

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Filed Under: 2023, Cadet Profiles Tagged With: Cadet Leadership, Company D-1, Corps of Cadets, D-1 Devils, Marine Corps Platoon Leader Class, Off The Quad Involvement, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, pmc, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, USMC

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