Silver Taps: A Sacred Aggie Tradition

The playing of Silver Taps on the first Tuesday of every month from September to April is a longstanding Aggie tradition. During this time campus flags are flown at half-staff with the names, classes, and majors of passed Aggies are displayed at the bottom of the flagpole at the Silver Taps Memorial and Academic Plaza.

One playing of Silver Taps in 1945, commemorated Aggies who passed during the Second World War. Since at the time of this ceremony the war had ceased to end the list of names were likely incomplete. Nonetheless, Silver Taps played in recognition of all fallen Aggies three of which received the Medal of Honor. Ceremonies like Silver Taps are what make Texas A&M university unique.

Sourced from student William Saumell

Pictured to the side is a Battalion article highlighting the November 1968 Silver Taps. During this parade, part of the cadets altered their uniforms to honor their fallen companions. This specific ceremony recognized three Aggies who were tragically killed in a car accident while on their way to Dallas for the annual Corp trip. Among those tragically killed was one commander and two first year Corp members known as “fish” all were part of Company C-1. Don Coward, one of the men who lost his life had just three weeks prior wrote home to his parents after his first Silver Taps experience not knowing the next Silver Taps would honor him. Coward’s letter remains read during Fish Camp as a way to teach freshman about Silver Taps.

Sourced from Dillon Crozier