Our society places a heavy emphasis on memorializing and honoring those before us. One day in November, I began to notice the sheer number of memorials around me—including numerous flags at half-mast—and biked around to see the breadth of how Texas A&M honors the fallen. As one memorial I saw eloquently quoted: “Greater love hath no man than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) As I biked past, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful, everyday things going on around these memorials, perhaps demonstrating the result of the sacrifices.
The US and Texan flags, half mast on a flagpole in the middle of a field, in front of a building.The same US and Texan flags, half mast, but with the US flag between the viewer and the sun, creating a neat eclipsed effect.A number of flagpoles, without flags. Beside them is a monument with a bunch of names and John 15:13; “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”A picture of A&M’s Freedom From Terrorism memorial, consisting a large concrete wall with a “breach” in it and numerous concrete cubes in front. A sign near the camera’s perspective explains the symbolism thusly: “The Wall before the Breach symbolizes the American culture: Strong, Bold, and Free. / The Breach in the Wall represents the cultural impact and the losses from the 9/11 era terrorism. The Rough Texture below the Breach further portrays the impact that scarred the culture but could not destroy it. / The Wall after the Breach represents the recovery of a culture that will endure even longer than the previous years of American history. / The first Row of Twelve Cubes represents the ‘12th Man Aggie Spirit’ of those Aggies who have served to ensure our way of life. / The Missing Row of Cubes represents those aggies lost and the sacrifices made by the survivors in the 9/11 era. / The Twelve Lights represent our remembrance of their sacrifices. / The Last Two Rows of Cubes signify the Aggies who will protect our country and preserve its culture.”A gigantic half-mast flag, framed by trees, a bridge, and a pond, with the enormous Kyle Field in the background.A number of half-mast flags at the focal point of the curved building that houses the Association of Former Students.A number of half-mast flags in a row lining the street between Kyle Field and the Memorial Student Center.The front of the Memorial Student Center. The sign above the visible entrance reads “Selfless Service”. On the lawn in front is a sign reading “PLEASE STAY OFF THE GRASS / The MSC and the building gounds are a living memorial to Aggies who gave their lives in service to their country / Please respect this time honored tradition”The shot looks down military walk at the Academic Building, which has a large dome at the top, looking very regal. In the center of it all is the large US flag, which is at half-mast.
