Virginia Tech
I remember coming back from high school on April 20, 1999 and being transfixed on the television watching the tragedy that was the Columbine High School massacre. Nearly 8 years later to the day I felt those same feelings of shock, horror, total surprise and horrible grief as I am again, glued to the TV watching yet another massacre.

Suffering emotional blow after blow, a new way of life has risen in the United States. Overcoming adversity has become a common theme in America, and mourning for our fallen friends has strengthened our feelings of patriotism and love for our neighbors. The events at Virginia Tech are added to a list of other national tragedies, which include; 9/11, Columbine, Oklahoma City and Pearl Harbor.

The country joins the students and faculty of Virginia Tech in the mourning process for the 32 lost on that horrible day. Talk show hosts and news reporters wear VT pins on their lapel, campus stores sell out of any and all orange and maroon apparel, and “Go Hokies” becomes a phrase that an entire country uses as a showing of remembrance and respect.

For more information on how you can help the students and families at Virginia Tech visit www.vt.edu, and donate to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.