Tattoos serve as a tribute to the fallen
Teresa Tobat, CT Staff Writer
April 26, 2007
"I see the pain and the healing that I have to go through after getting this tattoo as what everyone has to go through," said junior Jessie Irwin. He has just gotten off the chair and his skin is still bleeding. He describes the pain of the finished tattoo as feeling like sunburn and an integral part of the experience. It took just an hour get and costs $140 but will last a lifetime.
This is the German major's third tattoo and is in remembrance of April 16. He chose to get a black tattoo because the ink won't fade as easily as color. His tattoo is fairly prominent and has the symbol for War Memorial in between "We Will Prevail," which is on top, and "April 16, 2007," which is on the bottom.
He chose to have the tattoo on his left calf because he felt the need to "balance" his body. He has another tattoo on his right calf and a third on his back.
Irwin feels as if each and every tattoo should be meaningful. The one on his right calf, and the first one he got when he was 18, is of a Kokopelli. It is an ancient symbol that represents all things good in life among other things. "Whenever things get rough, I look down on it and remember that life is fun," Irwin said.
The second one he acquired while living in Germany in what he describes as "the best year of my life." The tattoo is on his back and he credits it as the most painful to get. It is the German symbol for the year that he was in the country.
As important as it is for each tattoo to be meaningful, Irwin believes that each should be original, with one exception.
"I wanted my tattoo (memorializing April 16) to be different than the black ribbon with the VT. For a while, I had a concept of a tattoo, but when I went to Ocean City, everyone had it, and I decided against it. But (everyone getting the black ribbon tattoo) is different, because Hokies everywhere are getting it, it will unify us," Irwin said.
Irwin had his tattoo done at Ancient Art Tattoo and Body Piercing Studios. Irwin chose Ancient Art because he had read a positive review of them. The review wound up to be helpful--he described the latest tattoo artist as being the friendliest one yet.
Members of the student-run Virginia Tech Rescue Squad have also taken it upon themselves to get tattoos to memorialize the tragedy. According to Captain Jason Dominiczak, about eight to 10 people have already gotten tattoos, and a handful of others are going to get them done. "Everyone's getting something a little different, but with VT between the Res and cue," Dominiczak said.
According to Vicki Rose, who works the front desk at Ancient Art, about 50 people have gotten tattoos. Around 100 have come in and asked about them. The minimum price for a tattoo at Ancient Art is $50.
Tattoo artist Hampton "Bugz" Forbes was already tattooing people with Virginia Tech memorials on the day after the tragedy. The most popular tattoo at their studio has been the black ribbon with the VT over top.
"I'll tattoo anything. If it happens, it happens ... we have lots of maroon and orange ink. We don't run out of ink," Forbes said.
About a dozen people have already gotten tattoos memorializing last Monday's tragic event at Rendezvous Tattoo and Body Piercing.
"It's not really the type of the thing you can predict, it's more of a moment of passion thing," said Patti Rowan, wife of Rendezvous owner John Rowan.
The most popular design they have had requested is the Virginia Tech emblem superimposed on a black ribbon, just like the Facebook profile pictures that are widespread. Most of the tattoos have been in color and range from about $100 to $150, depending on size. Other popular designs include the Virginia Tech emblem with the "T" raised slightly higher than the "V" so it forms a cross. Some say "In Remembrance 4/16/07." One customer is getting Hokie bird tracks across her foot. Another, and their most intricate design yet, has been a variation of the black ribbon and Virginia Tech emblem, with angel wings and a halo.