Scoring a goal on Kyle Field is one of my favorite memories of my time at A&M

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Hard to say if the count is wrong or right, but there is no doubt that the intention of flying the flags was to memorialize Aggies killed during WWI. This is not a myth.

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Actually it is a myth and it isn't "hard" to figure out how many are on the field. The flags were originally flown for patriotism in general. Let me also be the first to say I understand that the Corps teaches they are for the WWI fallen, but there have been numerous typos in the campos for quite some time (FWIW, I pointed these out to Corps Staff and forced my fish to memorize the CORRECT answers to the questions, not just what was provided).

So, for the flags. I guess the number of flags at Kyle Field was always 55? 55ish? I guess you are rounding up? From zero?



I'm not even sure where you'd put 55 flags on those grandstands...

In any case, instead of saying, 'Well, I'm not sure if your count is right, but that's why those flags are there?', let's actually count how many American flags there are, shall we?

Top of 3rd deck, Student side: 17

Top of 3rd deck, Alumni side: 10

Top of The Zone: 23 (11+1+11)

number in the "corners" between the zone and student/alumni sides: 0

number on 1st deck, Student side, south end: 3

number on 1st deck, Alumni side, south end: 3

number on the big flagpoles in the southeast corner: 1


17+10+23+0+3+3+1=57

(This doesn't count the two Texas flags and the two pennants)


The motivation of the cadets is certainly to uphold this myth and that dedication isn't to be scoffed. It is a genuine patriotic act, BUT it is based on a mistake/myth, not history

Back in the 80s we used to have PT on Kyle all the time and also played football on it some mornings. The field itself is not a memorial, and never has been.



"Hope" is not a plan. It is the lack of one.

BQZip01 & Fred

"Seems you are not just wrong on the politics board, you are wrong here too. This is absolutely true -they started doing it after a ceremony in 1920."

Great, give us a source.

Or you could ask dr. Chapman about it - a man who knows more than a&m than just about everyone.

It IS a myth. I can even add the qualifier absolutely as you have.

The fact remains you can't provide a source documenting these flags being flown as a memorial because they weren't. Makes a nice story but its simply not true.

This is hardly unusual. We have a MASSIVE number of urban legends surrounding our school.

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Who claimed it was a memorial?

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That claim has been made since I was in school, a long time ago.

[This message has been edited by crag (edited 11/25/2010 10:03a).]

What's the inscription on the West Gate Memorial?

"In recognition of the splendid participation by the A. & M. College in the World War, and of the heroic sacrifices made by her sons, this memorial is given by the classes of 1923, '24, '25, and '26."

That's from memorization done 40 years ago.

[This message has been edited by OldArmy71 (edited 11/25/2010 10:05a).]

[This message has been edited by OldArmy71 (edited 11/25/2010 10:06a).]

Poor Bill has to deal with YOU people

Fast Fred, thanks for that reply. I always wondered why the corp would uncover at the game since it is outside. I was a non-reg, but my dad was in the Army (he wasn't in the corp as he came to A&M with prior military experience and they didn't require him to join even back in the '50s) and according to him if you were in uniform you were covered outside and uncovered inside. It never was a big enough deal to me to ask someone, but that explaination finally makes since to me. Thanks again, you never stop learning.

There are 55 small flags. The larger U.S. flag on the north end and the great big one raised during the national anthem are not included in the total.

Does anyone know if there are really still 55 trees around the main drill field?

I never heard of anyone having to carry the Standard around. It was a loose-leaf binder and was kept in your hole. IIRC, it was required to be kept on top of your footlockers. The campusology book was a smaller pamphlet that would fit in your pocket, and was called the Cadence.

IIRC, we were not required to carry the Cadence, but we had to memorize its contents. Yes, some of the information was not entirely correct. For instance, there was a question about the twelfth man. The answer said the date of the Dixie Classic was January 1, 1922. In fact the game was on January 2, 1922. At some point they changed it to the correct date.

T

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according to him if you were in uniform you were covered outside and uncovered inside

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Yes. I've always wondered why we uncover at football games. Sometimes there are special rules, though, and I suppose this is one of them. At the A&M/USMA game at the Alamodome a few years ago, there was an announcement prior to the game that it would be treated as an outdoor venue, and I believe the USMA cadets and military personnel remained covered. The Aggies didn't, I guess because they're used to being uncovered at football games. They covered up only for the national anthem.

Also, if you are "under arms," you remain covered. This includes firearms and sabers. And a member of a band with an instrument is considered "under arms" as well. This is why the ODs and cav jocks stay covered. Why doesn't the band do it? I don't know.

I noticed at the Nebraska game there was a saber arch for a marriage proposal and I don't think they were covered. Technically they should have been. We did a saber arch in the MSC once, uncovered...also technically incorrect. The only times I've ever been covered in a church was for a saber arch.

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There are 55 small flags. The larger U.S. flag on the north end and the great big one raised during the national anthem are not included in the total.

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As CLEARLY shown above, there are NOT 55 small flags, there are 56.

There were 54 Aggies killed in WWI (please read the engraving over by Albritton Tower).

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Does anyone know if there are really still 55 trees around the main drill field?

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No, there are not, but that is intentional. The oaks around campus (and most places in the US) are facing some diseases that most older oaks cannot combat. Consequently, some of the trees have died. It was decided around 2002 that the previous 55 trees had done their job and some new blood was in order; they added 55 NEW saplings to replace those affected by the blight.

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I've always wondered why we uncover at football games. Sometimes there are special rules, though, and I suppose this is one of them. At the A&M/USMA game at the Alamodome a few years ago, there was an announcement prior to the game that it would be treated as an outdoor venue, and I believe the USMA cadets and military personnel remained covered. The Aggies didn't, I guess because they're used to being uncovered at football games. They covered up only for the national anthem.

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I've heard many reasons, but the short version is: because we want to and we can control our own regulations. It's that simple.

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Also, if you are "under arms," you remain covered. This includes firearms and sabers.

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True, but that is not a mandated requirement. You do not have to remain covered up while indoors even under arms; it is an option.

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And a member of a band with an instrument is considered "under arms" as well.

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False. Members of the band are not carrying sanctioned weapons of combat; exception: drum majors carry maces and those ARE officially weapons. Instruments are tools, not weapons (I'm not going to say that my trombone wasn't ever used AS a weapon). The corps bugler is not "under arms", but the bugle corps HAS developed their own salute, as have the drum majors.

lastly, saber arches should not be done INSIDE a church and weapons should NEVER be brought inside.

I realized that fans are on the field after every game. I posted this to mess with the Uncover Nazis as another reason that it is bull**** to uncover because Kyle is not a memorial.