MEMORIES OF JERRY
SELF
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Jerry's parents have
asked me to express their gratitude for the many tributes that people have
put on this web site and their thanks to Chris Mycoskie for setting it
up and keeping it updated. In a time more difficult than many of us could
ever imagine, it has given them strength. Jerry touched many lives while
he was with us. We see that he also
touched many in his
passing. As parents we know our children are special. This
tribute has helped his parents realize that they were not the only ones
who thought Jerry was special.
I cannot leave this
web site without addressing the issue that came up the weekend of December
4 & 5. No one who knew Jerry believes it is true. Jerry
was high on Jesus and high on life. Sadly, there are many out there
who did not know him. They won't realize that Jerry would not jeopardize
his position on bonfire, would not disappoint those depending on him.
This was so important to Jerry, he loved working on bonfire. It embodied
so many of the things that Jerry embraced; hard work, loyalty, team work,
camaraderie.
I did not know the other young man, Jeremy Frampton, who was also accused
of being intoxicated. I know his parents are as heartbroken as Mike and
Jacki. Please continue to support all of these precious families with your
prayers.
This was written by a
13 year old boy named Ben who died in 1997 from a brain tumor. He
gave this to his mom just before he died.
My First Christmas
in Heaven
I see the countless
Christmas trees
Around the world
below
With the tiny lights,
like Heaven's stars,
Reflecting on the
snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away
that tear
For I am spending
Christmas with
Jesus Christ this
year.
I hear the many Christmas
songs
That people love
so dear
But the sounds of
music can't compare
With the christmas
choir up here.
I have no words to
tell you,
The joys their voices
bring,
For it is beyond
description,
To hear the angels
sing.
I know how much you
miss me,
I see the pain in
your heart.
But I am not far
away
We really aren't
apart.
So be happy for me,
dear ones.
You know I hold you
dear.
And be glad I'm spending
Christmas
With Jesus Christ
this year.
I sent you each a
special gift.
From my heavenly
home above.
I sent you each a
memory
Of my undying love.
After all, love is
a gift
More precious than
pure gold.
It was always most
important
In the stories Jesus
told.
Please love and keep
each other,
As my Father said
to do.
For I can't count
the blessings and love
He has for each of
you.
So have a Merry Christmas
and
Wipe away that tear.
Remember, I am spending
Christmas
With Jesus Christ
this year.
May God be with each
and every person touched by this tragedy.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Self,
I justed wanted to
let you know that I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Self, I did want
to send you a personal thank you. Even in your time of grief and
loss you so
wonderfully spoke
of your son to the Dallas Morning News. In this time of loss so many
of us (Aggie Family Members) were also suffering grief. Although
my grief
come not come close
to yours, I want to thank you for the wonderful words you gave. It
helped to ease my sorrow seeing how proud you were to receive your son's
senior boots.
Only true members of the Aggie Spirit can ever understand your pride in
your son and his achievements.
Once again I am so
sorry for your loss. I lost my father 10 years ago and may have a
small understanding of your grief. The only thing I can say to comfort
you at
this time is that
in time the pain and suffering you and your family is experiencing will
recede in time. After the passing of the pain, you will only have
wonderful
memories of such
a beloved member of your family. It helps to know that even though
our loved ones are gone and still needed, they will always be in your hearts
and minds.
My wife and I are both
'95 grads, and will keep your family in our prayers at our Thanksgiving
prayer today, God Bless.
My heart goes out to
you. My prayers are with you. No one can say that they know how it
feels unless they went through this type of tragedy. I have children around
your son age. Just try to remember the good qualities that he had and the
joy he gave to the family and friends. God be with you.
I met Jerry in September
of '99 at Freebirds. Even though that was my first and last encounter
with him, my memory of this incredibly amazing man is vivid. When
I was told of his death, all I could envision was a guy who had such a
kind heart and sweet spirit. I knew that from the first moment we
spoke. I could see from the look in his eyes and the way he carried
himself that he was in love with Jesus. I'm so sad that I will never
have the chance to
know him on a deeper and more personal level. However, I feel blessed
that God allowed
me to at least meet him.
To Jerry: I
know you are at home with our heavenly father. I pray that all who
knew you will find comfort in that. Thank you for the fifteen minutes
we talked on that Tuesday night. You have forever made a dramatic
impact on my life.
The Aggies that disappeared
in the Bonfire held the spirit that binds all Aggies. The following
poem I wrote after the Vietnam War applies to them as well.
ONCE WE WERE YOUNG
AND AGGIES
W. L. Kirkpatrick
Once we were young
and Aggies
Full of spirit and
will to learn,
Dedicated to belief
in God and Country.
Determined to make
our way in life
Through the military
and light of knowledge.
We were taught the
history
And traditions of
dear TAMU
During Fish Week
by stern upperclassmen.
Life was hard to
suffer the training
Becoming cadets and
soldiers long ago.
We worked from early
morn to late night
To get what we dreamed
Soldiers with the
light of wisdom,
Honorable men to
serve Texas and country.
We practiced drill
and ceremonies each morning
That brought pride
and brotherhood to young men.
The mighty music
of the fightin Texas Aggie band
Thrilled the skies
and
Raised the Corps
to one lofty spirit.
We sought to learn
noble military ways
For some awful moment
to resolve
A great issue which
our Nation should choose.
Where yell practices
and athletic games
Taught us that life
was competition.
Played in the games
of life that
Must be won for the
spirit of humankind.
Flaming souls drove
us forward to
Tasks of real life
of higher endeavor.
We learned that each
had been given
By destiny and God,
distinct abilities and qualities,
To be used to benefit
people and
Preserve liberty,
security and peace
In our American homeland.
Our lives were perfect
in short measure
Surrounded by knowledge
and brotherhood
Of those fellow cadets
living and dead
Whose ideals, hopes
and aspirations
Were passed on, and
shared by scholars and professors.
We found confidence
in our cause
Thanking God in our
final breath for TAMU , and
The American homeland
as the mortal mist
Drew about us in
war times gone by, with
Consciousness fading
and softly echoing
...there's a spirit
can ne'er be told...
...there's a spirit
can ne'er be told...
In lands far away,
to a greater roll call with
Heaven's applause
to everlasting sleep.
We Aggies shall live
Through the years
eternal life,
By those whose hearts
and minds
Throb the pulse of
one exalted fraternity.
The brotherhood of
devotion, tradition and enlightenment
Taught us so long
ago in our beloved Aggieland.
Gigem!
Hi. My name is
Marcella Martinez, and I am from Laredo, Texas.
I guess I can start
off by saying that I never knew Jerry Self, and he didn't know me.
In fact, I'm not even a student at Texas A&M University. Jerry
Self and I have never crossed paths. That having been said, I would
like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jerry
Self. I am transferring to Texas A&M University next semester.
Even though I am not an Aggie yet, I am filled with the Aggie Spirit and
Traditions. It is because of this that I mourn the loss of Jerry
Self and the 11 other students who passed along with him. I consider
myself a fellow Aggie. I, too, and grief stricken.
Last night, a memorial
service was held at one of our local churches in honor of Jerry Self and
the 11 others. Although no one from our home town was involved in
the accident, our entire community is mourning. There was not a dry
eye in the entire church.
Even though we don't
know each other, and our paths have never crossed, we are united under
God's family. It is for this that I grieve along with you.
To the family and
friends of Jerry Self: My heart-felt sympathies and prayers go out to you.
I can only pray this tragedy can strengthen your family. Jerry
Self will never be forgotten, for he paid the ultimate price in the name
of School Spirit.
The City of Laredo
is with you during your time of grief.
Once again, my deepest
sympathies and heart-felt prayers go out to you and your family.
May Jerry's memory stay alive in your hearts forever. God Bless.
With
deepest sympathies,
-Marcella A. Martinez,
Texas A&M International University, mm064866@tamiu.edu
To the friends and family
of Jerry Self,
At this sad time,
I question whether there are any words appropriate for a tribute that would
measure up to what Jerry deseves. Herman Melville wrote, "We cannot live
only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and
along these fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes,
and they come back as effects." In some way, we all share a part of each
other's heart and soul. When I saw Jerry's face on the news and I found
out he was gone, I felt like apart of me was gone too. As all of these
letters will tell you, Jerry's smile stands out in all of our minds. I
hope you can find some comfort in remembering him the way I do, as a smiling,
sweet, and funny guy. He is missed.
Jerry, Today is
your 21st birthday. You have been telling (not asking)me all year
that we has to dalay our Las Vegas trip from October to December so you
could make the trip with us. If only I had the chance to take you
now! I have tried to help in any way financially or physically possible
to insure that you and Michael had anything you wanted. Was never
able to say 'no' to either of you. We had fun shopping for your graduation
vehicle. When you saw that maroon pick-up there was no changing your mind.
Actually, you were
always a bit of a con-artist. Even when you were a baby and I scolded
you for misbehaving you would put your arms around me, say 'I love you
Memaw' and I melted. Lately I have wished for the times when you
and Michael were 3 & 5 or 5 & 7 - when you thought I was the greatest
Memaw in the world. You have both spent less and less time around
family since high school. I tried to get used to the fact that you
are both grown young men starting lives of your own - but I envied your
school buddies and church friends the time you spent with them.
Thought I knew you
pretty well, but from the letters Mike and Jacki have received and from
the tributes on this web page, I realize that there were lots of great
things you were involved in that I knew nothing about. You have impacted
the lives of your rather large extended family, your church, your high
shcool friends and your great Corps group at A & M in a very positive
and loving way. I am pleased that others recognize what a great young
man you were.
Michael left this
AM for Ft. Leavenworth. It was a blessing that he was home on leave
to help us through the past few weeks. Your parents did a great job
of raising the two of you.
Great Grandmother,
Annie Pearl, said she always prayed she would not outlive her children,
never realizing that she would outlive a great-grandchild. She loved
you dearly.
Jimmie died this
morning. Know you were there to welcome him.
I love you, Angel.
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