Thousands mark Virginia Tech anniversary

WSLS staff
Published: April 16, 2008

WEDNESDAY'S COVERAGE

Tribute to the victims
Wednesday’s remembrance service was less about what happened last April 16th and more about those that were lost. Slowly, the names of all 32 victims were read aloud and with each we heard a brief description about them.

VT remembrance around campus
Students gathered in groups on the grass just hanging out giving their own tribute. Some through music, others offered support through hugs and prayers. Indoors, workshops and exhibits let students use the creative side while the beautiful weather made it a perfect day for softball.

Art gallery attracts crowd, helps students heal
The art gallery is filled with pictures like the “VT Thanks You” message the university created to thank to entire world for the outpouring of support following the shootings. “That particular day kind of felt like a thief had come in and robbed us, but we’re slowly getting that feeling back," alumni Mimi Harrison said.

Mood at the memorial one year later
"People lay down flowers and other items to remember those lost. But beyond the sadness of the day, there’s something more. There’s also a sense of energy I didn’t experience last year,” Kelly M. Sisson said.

More than 100 hold protest at Tech
Friends and family members remembered those lost while also speaking out for tougher gun laws. They staged a lie-in for three minutes-- the amount of time it takes a person to buy a gun without a background check.

VT ENGAGE exceeds goal
Virginia Tech says the program has received pledges for more than 400,000 hours of community service, and more than 200,000 of those hours have already been served. The original goal was 300,000 hours.

City of Salem, Roanoke College present April 16th tribute
Speeches included words of encouragement from the Salem City Manager, Kevin Boggess, and Roanoke College President, Mike Maxey. Musical tributes included a song from Deacon John Hodge of Shiloh Baptist Church, as well as the Salem High School marching band and a Roanoke College choir.

Read the blog
Carrie Sidener, with the Lynchburg News & Advance, details the events on campus dall day. Find out what happens as she attends the commemoration, watches people decorate Hokie stones, takes a walk through Recognition and Healing exhibit. Read about all her experiences during the one year anniversary.

MORE TECH COVERAGE

Midnight ceremony starts Tech's commemoration
Outside the circle, thousands of Tech students stood in absolute silence. They came from across campus to bear witness to the first moments of what the university community hopes will be a day of honor and healing.

Virginia Tech: Lessons learned, changes made one year later
Sung-Tae and Hyang Im Cho had their luggage packed and waiting at the door of their Fairfax County home when police arrived. The couple had heard news of a mass shooting at Virginia Tech and were preparing to travel to Blacksburg to check on their son, Seung-Hui Cho. What some people didn’t tell and what others didn’t know lies at the heart of what went wrong at Virginia Tech on April 16, when the worst mass killing on a college campus in U.S. history unfolded on a blustery day.

President Charles Steger talks about April 16th, nearly one year later
As we all watched the events unfold, the tragedy hit Virginia Tech’s President, Charles Steger, harder than most. Not only is he the face of the university’s leadership, but he also found himself updating the media about what happened on his campus.
WATCH the entire interview
READ a column by Steger

Members of the VT Rescue Squad say it was the call they’ll never forget
The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad was the primary agency that responded on April 16th – meaning the volunteers were in charge, even setting up a command center here in this ambulance bay.

State Police update on the April 16th tragedy investigation
Investigators tell us new developments being reviewed in the case include the transcription of more than 450 telephone calls related to the incident. State Police say those transcriptions have recently been completed and are now being reviewed as evidence.

Virginia Tech archive
Read past stories, watch video and see photos.

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