December Silver Taps to honor 1 Aggie

Silver Taps will be observed Dec. 6 to honor the memory of one Texas A&M student who recently passed away.

Silver Taps is a tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of his or her death, was enrolled in graduate or undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. Silver Taps was formerly observed as soon as possible after the death of a student. Today, it is held on the first Tuesday of each month from September to April, if necessary.

Matthew A. Calderon '25, an electronic systems engineering technology major from San Antonio, will be honored at December's Silver Taps.

The Silver Taps ceremony will be held in person at the Academic Plaza. The campus will be darkened at 10:20 p.m. Students, family and friends will gather in the plaza in front of the Academic Building in silence. At 10:30 p.m., an honor guard from the Ross Volunteer Company will march to the plaza where its members will fire three rifle volleys to honor the memory of these students.

For those who cannot attend in person, the Division of Student Affairs will broadcast a special premiere of Silver Taps on its YouTube channel at 10:30 p.m. Visit tx.ag/SilverTapsPremiere to view.

The names of these Aggies have been added to the roll call for the 2023 Aggie Muster. Deceased Aggies who were students at the College Station campus when they died are eligible to be called at the student-run Muster at Reed Arena on April 21. (See the criteria for the Reed Arena roll call.) Their names, along with every other name on the 2023 worldwide roll call, will also be called during the live reading that will take place April 21 at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. (See the current 2023 roll call.) Their names are also eligible to be called at one or more of the hundreds of hometown Musters that will take place around the world. (See the list of Musters currently registered for 2023; more will be added as April draws near.)

Free parking in the University Center Garage will be available between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

In case of severe weather, Silver Taps will be held at an alternative date.

Related story: In a 1968 letter, a freshman described Silver Taps to his parents; weeks later, the bugles played for him. Today, every Fish Camp learns his story.

Silver Taps is hosted by Traditions Council, a student organization that works to preserve and promote the traditions of Texas A&M. Traditions Council partners with the Department of Student Assistance Services to facilitate and raise awareness of this time-honored tradition.

Traditions Council reminds students to:

• Comply with appropriate health and safety guidelines.
• Drink lots of water before the ceremony, encourage others to do the same, and be careful not to stand with your knees locked, as this can lead to discomfort and even fainting during the 30-minute ceremony.
• Remain silent as you enter Academic Plaza and refrain from using photography, videography, and cell phones during the ceremony.
• Keep sidewalks clear as you stand in the Plaza for the family processional and the Ross Volunteers.
• Turn your lights out beginning at 10:15 p.m. if you live on campus.

For more information about Silver Taps, visit studentlife.tamu.edu/sas.silvertaps or contact Student Assistance Services at (979) 845-3113.

Silver Taps is one of Texas A&M's greatest traditions. The Association of Former Students expresses our sincere appreciation to donors to The Association for helping support it financially.