Approximately three weeks from now (on April 16th), flashbacks from where we were sitting during the shootings of Virginia Tech will be remembered. As a member of Phi Sigma Pi National Co-ed Honor Fraternity, I will have to re-visit this tragedy because one of our members was shot in cold-blood by Seung-Hui Cho. Although I am sad when I hear about this, I mourn for the family members of the victims of this horrific event.

Those close to the victims of the Virginia Tech mass shooting offered mixed reactions yesterday to a proposed multimillion-dollar state settlement and whether it would properly honor their loved ones. Personally, I am sure that no amount of money will heal their hearts every April 16th, Birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.

Families of the victims will have until this Monday to say whether they will accept the settlement, which amounts to $100,000 to representatives of each family. Under the proposal, students who were wounded can also expect money. I guess I can understand why someone is receiving money, but I don’t know how the state or even administrators at Virginia Tech are expecting the family members to feel. Twenty-two families have filed notice with the state that they may sue. They have until April 16th to file, which I am sure is the last thing that they are thinking about this day.

In exchange for accepting the proposal, family members would give up the right to sue the state government, Virginia Tech, the town of Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and the New River Valley Community Services Board. It sounds to me that the state government is only worried about covering themselves. If I am wrong, I wish someone would enlighten me. This is disappointing that after the worst tragedy in college history, people will not take time to worry about the victim or their family.

Well, I know this won’t probably help at all, but I have to say it . . . I am with you.