The sun rose around 6:20 this morning here at Virginia Tech. There's something very interesting about the way the sun comes up every day. It never fails. There are times when we may not be able to see it because it's blocked by clouds. But it's still there. Even on the cloudiest, rainest day... the sun came up somewhere.
It's kind of like that here on campus. Hokies always rise. They've risen for about 130 years, every day. On April 16, 2007 just after 9 in the morning, conditions grew darker than they had ever been. But by 9 the next night a light began to rise. Hokie students, faculty, and alumni stood at the center of the Drillfield and lifted candles into the air. In standing together and chanting "Hokies! Hokies!..." the community was lifted by its unity.
Today, that same Hokie spirit will be on display. There will be tears. You can not honor and celebrate the 32 people lost a year ago, without remembering how they were killed. The violence is a part of the memory. The memories still bring pain. But with somber faces and heavy hearts, across Blacksburg, Virginia, and the world, Hokies will prove once again the power of the Hokie spirit to always break through the clouds.
*By Kay Young, Reporter and Tiaira Shoultz, Executive Producer*
This week the world will remember. We will remember. After just a few hours on campus, it's clear the events of April 16, 2007, have not been forgotten. Students are once again seeing an influx of media on campus. Several have told me (Kay) they prefer to go through this anniversary on their own - without the world watching.
As Hokies, our hearts go out to the men and women who walked through the nightmare of tragedy with strength and dignity a year ago. And the proud students dealing with life after the devastating tragedy. But as journalists, we feel a responsibility to Virginia Tech parents and alumni. There is a sense of obligation to the countless caring people who reached out to Tech a year ago - and in the months since the tragedy. Those who cannot come to Blacksburg now, but chose to reach out and join the Hokie Nation at the darkest time in Virginia Tech's history, still want and need to know how the community is doing.
Driving in I (Tiaira) got chills. I couldn't wait to see the campus and to be a part of the healing process. To join in with the students in honoring the memory of the victims. As we drove around the campus I grew more anxious to be a part of this moving tribute. It seems to us the mourning continues on campus and around the world. But this week, there will also be time devoted to celebrating the lives of 32 fabulous members of the Hokie family. We will revisit difficult emotions. Still, we believe the world will see through the tears and unmistakeable pain. The world will see the hope and strength and life that is the Hokie Spirit continuing to beat strong.
K n T
