Collegiate Times

They don't need to mark their calendars. The 106th day of the year looms among every one of the other 365.

For families affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech, April 16 is about marking the calendar of the world.

"It's definitely a day when I'm looking back and remembering how that day went for me and my family and how it also went for my sister and the other victims," said Omar Samaha, whose sister Reema Samaha was killed in Norris Hall. "I can't say that it is completely different from every other day, because I do it every single day, but I definitely would say that it hits home a lot harder and reminds me of what happened and how tragic it was."

It is not an anniversary for Suzanne Grimes, whose son Kevin Sterne was injured in Norris Hall.

"I call it the second year mark," Grimes said. "My initial thought was that April 16 should be set aside for what it is: thirty two people lost their lives."

Andrew Goddard, whose son Colin Goddard was also injured in Norris Hall, said April 16 should be used to prevent future tragedies, a sentiment that was echoed by many families.

"In my opinion, the best thing for VT to do is give the day off each year and encourage the new Peace Center to make arrangements each year to arrange suitable events to remember the day," Goddard said. "Those events should include a memorial service, but should also include presentations and meetings about mental health issues and gun violence."

Many family members have spent time this week at numerous events promoting violence prevention.

Samaha, Goddard and Grimes attended a press conference Monday with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announcing a national advertisement campaign that hopes to "tighten gun laws and close the gun show loophole."

Grimes and others continued their week by speaking to a committee at the Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

"Unless we have responsible gun laws, we're going to have another April 16," Grimes said.

Parents Peter Read and Lori Haas also took part in the events, along with survivors Lily Habtu, Goddard and Sterne.

C. Bryan Cloyd, a Tech professor whose daughter Austin Cloyd was killed in Norris Hall, said the strength of the Tech community should be used to comfort all who have lost loved ones.

"Within hours of our community's darkest moment, April 2007, we began to realize the first positive consequence of that terrible day," Cloyd said. "The Hokie Nation quickly came together to prove that goodness could prevail."

Cloyd said his vision of April 16 is a day of remembering every Hokie.

"We can remember and honor those we lost on April 16, 2007, by committing ourselves to never losing this spirit of community and compassion for others," Cloyd said. "Each April 16 should be a Day of Remembrance for all the Hokies we have lost in the preceding year - a time to share with their families and friends the gift of compassion that the world shared with us in 2007."

Families have considered the future of April 16 not only in Blacksburg, but its importance around the country.

Grimes said the day should serve as a reminder of the factors that led to April 16.

"That day marks a significant change in society," Grimes said. "It made a big impact in the U.S. and across the world. I think it was a wake-up call."

Samaha said there are three main things that he would like to see each year.

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