Some leave messages for Cho

Media General News Service
Published: April 22, 2007

BLACKSBURG - Late Saturday morning, amid flower arrangements, messages, flags and votive candles at the 33 stones for those who died Monday, three notes had been left for Seung-Hui Cho - and none expressed ill will.

The campus drill field was a cathedral yesterday, its ceiling a warm, cloud-free spring sky.

The stones sit on an elevated end of the field in front of Burruss Hall, where hundreds of students, parents and well-wishers stood, kneeled and strolled.

Norris Hall, where 31 died, is within easy view, still surrounded by yellow crime-scene tape. A poem - "Heaven Needed More Hokies" - sat in the grass protected by plastic and cardboard.

Hands were held, hugs were exchanged and tears fell.

Most folks slowly moved from stone to stone. Others gathered nearby under red and white canopies that shaded message boards where thousands have left greetings, farewells, prayers, thoughts and wishes.

The disturbed young killer at the heart of it all was not forgotten.

- Frank Green

Seung-Hui,

I hope that if I ever meet anyone like you I will have the courage and the strength to reach out and change his or her life for the better.

I hope your family is able to get through the misery they are in because of you.

I hope the damage you inflicted on so many lives is healed soon and never repeated.

I hope the anger towards you that resides in so many hearts turns to forgiveness.

I hope the earthly troubles of all 33 of you are a fleeting, distant memory.

Pax,

Paul

Cho,

I just want you to know that I am not mad at you. I am sorry that you could find no help or comfort. I know what it is like to have demons and I can't even imagine how awful it was for you. I hope you are at peace now and have found some love. My heart pains for you.

I pray that God has taken you in. For I truly believe you were good and just had a most unfortunate and horrible life on this earth. I believe you were a martre (sic) for a good cause. I'm not sure if it is what you were talking about, but you were all martres (sic) for a cause of love, and happiness. I hope others will find the compassion and understanding God has led me to.

I am sorry I could not have been your friend for I didn't know you. But we are all too selfish and I understand why you were so angry.

With All My Love,

Laura

I feel bad in knowing that you did not get the help that you so desperately needed.

I hope in time that your family will find comfort and healing.

God Bless, Barbara