David:
An "AGGIE" is a student or former student of a land grant college, organized under the provisions of the Morrill Act of July 2, 1862. These colleges were established to teach basically three courses of study - engineering, scientific agriculture, and military science. The graduate would be an engineer, or a "modern" farmer or rancher, and they would be commissioned as officers in the Army or militia.
The most famous of these land grant colleges is Texas A & M University, established in 1876 on the prairie about 10 blocks from my house. That is where the phrase "Texas Aggie" originates.
Texas A & M has made numerous contributions to the State of Texas and the United States in the fields of science and engineering, agriculture and veterinary medicine. During WWII, little Texas A & M, with a student body of less than 4000, provided more than 15,000 officers to the US Armed Forces, more than any other school, including the US Military Academy and the Naval Academy.
Texas Aggies are unlike most people. The institution is unique, our traditions and history unrivaled and the brotherhood of Aggies is unparalleled throughout the wide world.
That's it for a start. I could go on for a long ways, but I am sure you get the drift.
Regards
Gig ém
GKT
