Eric Bethea, a finance major at Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, was in shock as the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded. As he watched and heard the news, the more he knew and felt that he wanted to do something to help. He looked on the student message board to see what other Aggies were posting. Around midnight Bethea threw out the idea “Why don’t we do a Red, White and Blue Out and raise money that we can send to New York?” Nick Luton, Kourtney Rogers, Cole Robertson, and Josh Rosinski immediately responded that they wanted to be part of the plan. They came up with the idea for the people in the top tier of the stadium to wear red shirts, the middle tier white, and the bottom tier blue. Since this was before the time of social media and smartphones, the students relied on emails, message boards and word of mouth to spread the word and ask for help. Kourtney Rogers Gruner said, “It was a leap of faith and the response was overwhelming – people from all over campus and eventually around the state, pitched in their support.” After coming up with a design, the first 5,ooo shirts were printed and sold out immediately. The t-shirts were being printed day and night. They came to the point where they had bought all the red, white, and blue t-shirts around the College station area and still needed more. People rented vans and drove to Dallas and other areas to secure more shirts. By game day, September 22, 2001, 40,000 shirts had been bought. Another 30,000 were sold at the stadium. The fans from Oklahoma State also purchased shirts so they could be part of supporting the effort. Lutton said, “We had hoped just for the student section to be wearing the shirts, but it was the entire stadium, even the coaches. Walking in during the first quarter, I was absolutely shocked. It made all those hours of work completely worth it.” The students raised $180,000 by game day and an additional $55,000 from t-shirts and poster sales after the game. The funds were delivered to the New York Fire and Police Benevolence relief funds.
Brad Bertrand, Sophomore year, carrying the General Moore flag
Corps of Cadets, Company E-2
Twenty years later, the Aggies continued to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and wanted to honor them. Claire Brown, a senior human resources development major, helped with the planning, along with the student organization Maroon Out. Brown said, “Re-creating the event is something students were excited about because it aligns with Aggie traditions of service and love of country.” On September 4, 2021, the Aggies once again displayed their patriotic spirit of honoring and remembering the fallen lives of 9/11 with a red, white, and blue game, with the Kent State fans also participating in the tribute. This year, around 75,000 shirts were sold. The proceeds from the sale of the shirts will be given to Texas Task Force 1 and the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Foundation. Each organization will receive a $50,000 donation. The game started with a flyover by military helicopters. Instead of maroon paint, the letters on the field, spelling out TEXAS A&M, were in red, white, and blue. It was very moving to hear the people in the stands singing as the band played “God Bless America” at halftime.
This past Saturday, the North Carolina State band played “Amazing Grace” during their halftime performance, in memory of the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan.
At the Florida State vs. Notre Dame football game, tribute was paid to Coach Bobby Bowden who died earlier this year at the age of 91 from pancreatic cancer. While playing “Amazing Grace,” the band spelled out “BOBBY” on the field in huge letters. Bowden’s logo and a picture of his hat were also painted on both sides of the field. Current FSU coach Mike Norvell expressed, “Coach Bowden was one of the greatest coaches ever, but more than that he was an incredible man. He was a special human being who earned an enduring legacy because of his wonderful heart, faith and values he lived.”
Whether it’s a person, a group of people, or an event, there is value in taking time to stop, remember, and honor those who have lived well, made a contribution, and sacrificed their lives. And may the memories cause and encourage us to want our lives to make a difference, too.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Romans 12:17
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:11
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