Famous Bonfire Tradition example essay topic

Tracy Willing English 1301 9/15/2000 Traditions May Come, But Should They Go When the sixty foot tall, 2 million pound stack of logs came crashing down on Texas A&M University students last November, it left 12 students dead, and 27 injured. Not only did the ninety year old tradition result in death of human life, it also became apparent that the traditions own life was at stake. Should the tradition die along with those 12 students I think not. Some opponents of the bonfire are stating that the tradition should not continue due to the recent tragedy. They are stating that it is too dangerous an event to risk more lives.

And others claim the event was unsupervised and organized by a bunch of drunk students. I say, why discontinue a ninety year old tradition just because an accident occured Do we also stop all airlines from flying when an airplane goes down How about dismantling a 1000 mile stretch of railroad when a train jumps the tracks No! We place rules and guidelines down and we IMPROVE. Granted the examples I give are not so called traditions but they are a way of life, as was the bonfire for the students at Texas A&M. So I say, instead of putting the axe down on a tradition, why not continue it with some professional, structural design, an annual safety review, and more adult supervision Since 1909, the famous bonfire tradition has only been canceled twice. Once in 1963 when President Kennedy was assisi nated, and last year due to the collapse. The bonfire annually drew thousands to the University campus on the eve of A&M's football game against Texas.

The bonfire was so popular, it inspired a sculpture at the center of the A&M campus. So when University administrators gathered after the accident to decide the traditions fate, college students, and even parents of the deceased came to speak out. Michael Self, father of bonfire victim Jerry Don Self, said, I am speaking for my son, because he is not here to speak for himself. As a father, it is hard, but I know in my heart Jerry would want the bonfire to burn this fall...

Richard Frampton, father of 22 year old victim Jeremy Frampton, also said he felt the tradition should remain as is. I think what was gained was bonding and loyalty through the bonfire. The kids put on such an amazing project. In conclusion, I believe the bonfire should continue. We should learn from this horrible tragedy, and make sure it never happens again. Adult supervision is definately needed, and a professionally engineered design should be considered.

Also, an annual safety compliance review should be in place. I say, do whatever it takes to continue this age old tradition that inspired many people, and enriched more lives than it destroyed.