Honestly, with all respect, it looks like stonehenge. My brother and I were talking about this at the rangers game. We thought it needed vines growing around the portals to make it look more personal and humble. But what are y'alls thought on how the memorial is coming.

I think I will need to look at it in person to get a better feel. It looks very similar to the new WWII memorial. I think it is a grand gesture, but I think it is signifying the end of on campus bonfire, and I cannot think of anything more detrimental to the school.

I think its a little over the top. And once this thing is dedicated you can forget about bonfire ever coming back to campus. This will signify the end.

"I voted for it before I voted against it."

I think it is more for the people that built/designed it than for the kids it is meant for. The tons of money spent on it could have been used more productively. Some of those kids would probably have preferred a gold plated stool at the Chicken or a taco at Duncan after named after them.

I'll tell you what I think about it.

Every time I drive by it, I look at that perfectly level field and get angry as hell that the field wasn't levelled when there was actually a fire being built on it.

We might still have 12 kids walking around, and a fire burning, instead of some stone portals had it been done.

I am sincerely glad that there is a memorial for the killed and injured. I just cannot see past the vicious irony of the perfectly graded field.

That's my 2 cents.

I think that it's a great design, as far as the portals that point to the hometowns, and how you enter through them to an "inner sanctum".

My question, though, is... is the middle of the circle grass (as it looks in that photo)? If so, would this become another "don't step on the grass" area, or would it be an area where students could study in the grass? If the former, who decides that? My fear is that it was not intended to be "holy grass", but students will get yelled at (or shamed into leaving).

Also, I unfortunately agree with the above sentiment about this dedication being the symbolic end to any discussion of bonfire's return to campus. Sad, as that was my favorite fall event to participate in... and one of the last true differentiators for A&M vs. other universities.

I think the Memorial sticks out because it is "modern," whereas campus and such are a "traditional" type design.

I really hated the conceptions in the beginning, but seeing some of the work has turned me around a bit on it. Right now I'm on the fence, but leaning toward "liking it."

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My question, though, is... is the middle of the circle grass (as it looks in that photo)?

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According to the drawings on the website, it is supposed to be grass.

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If so, would this become another "don't step on the grass" area

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You mean it isn't?

I didnt mean it to turn into a "should the memorial be there or not" discussion, no need for it cause it is there. Just what yall think about how its turning out.

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Every time I drive by it, I look at that perfectly level field and get angry as hell that the field wasn't levelled when there was actually a fire being built on it.

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You're not the only one.

I think it's gorgeous. Can't wait to see it finished.

I donated to its fund and I am also pleased with the design and that it is being built. Bonfire will return once the lawyers are paid and design standards and management controls established.

I'm with Bonfire03...a little artsy for me at first but I'm learning to like it.

Hey buddy, we'll be seeing you in November, huh? Looking foward to it!

I made a drive down to see what I could from the roads. It needs landscaping, but is better than I thought it would be.

Yes, I also with she university had placed a fraction of the same effort into the design, foundation, and planning for Bonfire.

I disagree with the whole idea...our war veterans are not even memorialized in such a grandiose fashion

I am excited about the memorial but I have so many mixed emotions about it. I dont like the fact that the Polo Fields will now have a large structure permanently fixed to it (preventing further Bonfires). Plus, it was always nice to go out there on 11/18 and just be with the empty field. I have never felt like I needed a memorial to remember (I prefered the empty field), but I guess others do, and that is cool.

I have also, after seeing the plans, felt like the memorial is too big/busy. I have always been a fan of "less is more." Kind of like the Vietnam Memorial...its nothing flashy, just a black wall with names.

I also thought that the memorial should have been more about "everything and everyone that was Bonfire for 90 years," and not just 11/18/99.

Anyway, dont mean to offend. I lost friends that day too. These are just the way I would do things if I were in charge (which I am not). I just thought I would share my thoughts about it.

Gig'em



"In war as in football, Joe Routt was a true leader of men, ever prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice."

Attending Texas Tech isn’t a choice, it’s a consequence.

"America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people." George W. Bush, SOU address 1/20/04

BigXII

Interesting Point.

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I disagree with the whole idea...our war veterans are not even memorialized in such a grandiose fashion

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I was in cd this weekend and saw it. I am not sure what I think of something permanent where the bonfire should be. This brings up the question ,if it ever comes back where will it go?

ttt

Each morning I drive by I think:

I think it is an unattractive waste of money. I much prefer the 12 trees along the drive. Seeing it over the 4th of July weekend made me realize that campus will never have another bonfire.

ttt

Sometimes this forum (Bonfire) is really slow, when in reality it is one of my favorite forums.

The memorial is awesome. The people who designed it did an amazing job, and it is a very good structure. There are hills around it which keeps the memorial quiet and protected from the noise of university and texas. I would be much happier if it never would've hd to've been built, but I think it is very respectful and honoring to those who died.

I don't understand why we as a society now feel the need to build a memorial for every tragic event. It is like the "success" of the vietnam memorial started a whole new tragedy memorial business.