Collegiate Times

Thousands of people clad in orange and maroon stood quietly waiting.

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The weather was unusually warm for mid-April in Blacksburg, with a light breeze and not a single visible cloud. Only a single jet contrail streaked across the sky directly over the Drillfield as the event began. The warm air and spring sounds contrasted with the snow flurries the Blacksburg saw last April 16.

Symmetry was evident throughout the morning ceremony that lasted slightly longer than an hour. Two identical lecturns stood tall behind two matching bouquets of white flowers. Two members of the Corps of Cadets stood at attention, heads high, behind the podiums, their uniforms featuring white crosses on their blue uniforms. Taller even than the two light posts on either side of the memorial site were the two towers of Burruss Hall, defying the somber atmosphere.

After the victims' families circled the memorial site and took their seats, a small group that included Virginia Tech President Charles Steger and Gov. Tim Kaine approached the stage. As music by the university's symphonic wind ensemble swelled, Steger took the lecturn to welcome the crowd. "While the passage of time has helped us in many ways, we remain deeply and profoundly saddened by the events of that tragic day," Steger said. "Neither the heat of summer nor the winds of winter has relieved our pain."

He added that while the purpose of gathering may be to alleviate some of that pain, it is mostly to comfort one another. Steger discussed the university's experience over the past year.

He noted that though the injured students do not wish to be recognized for their experience, it is important to acknowledge their presence.

"We should all be proud of these remarkable young people," Steger said.

Steger went on to say that in the search for meaning and understanding of tragedy, the sole consistency has been community.

"We have not found all that we have sought, but at every turn we have found each other," he said.

Steger addressed the victims' families, noting that most were present. He thanked them for their continued support and expressed admiration of their bravery. "Your courage and your grace and your strength have served as a guide for all of us," Steger said. "Although our sadness continues to weigh upon us, the one thing we can put to rest now is any fear that we will forget those who were taken from our midst."

Once Steger concluded his opening remarks, he opened the lecturn for Tony Distler, an alumni distinguished professor emeritus, and Karen Cronin, a community representative. Distler and Cronin read statements about each of the 32 victims' lives.

In addition to the achievements and ambitions of the victims, the audience learned details about them. Rachael Hill loved to watch classic movies. Matthew Gwaltney mastered sports trivia and statistics. Henry Lee was the ninth of ten children. Christopher Bishop was a fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

After the names were read, a brief moment of silence was then observed for those who were lost. Music from the wind ensemble began to play once more and Kaine stepped to the lecturn. "The world was cheated on April 16 a year ago - cheated out of the accomplishments that were surely to come from these extraordinary lives," Kaine said.

He explained the emotions he continues to feel in regard to the shootings. He noted his sympathy and respect for the victims' families. In the midst of so many emotions, Kaine said one thought stood out. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Kaine said, citing Psalm 90 of King James' bible. "The lives of these 32 ... demonstrate that they understood this important bit of wisdom," Kaine said. "They understood that in order to be fully human, in order to be full Hokies and live the mission of this university, they needed to live their lives in ways that would touch others."

After Kaine's speech, Steger invited those in attendance to engage in other events around campus, and the campus community was left to remember and reflect in it's own way.

Reporter Gordon Block contributed to this report.