Remembering Virginia Tech

Preston Mitchum — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:29:50 EDT

"I still have trouble sleeping some days," Erin Sheehan said. "It really does bother me because I still understand I could have been killed so easy, and there is no explanation why I wasn't.”

The statement above is from a student who was in her German class when Seung-Hui Cho opened fire on the professor and fellow students. It really saddened me to read her testimony. I could not imagine what I would do in their situation. It is something that many college students typically do not expect to happen, so there is really no preparation for it. "

The gunman entered my room. He shot my German teacher and then proceeded to shoot the students in the classroom pretty thoroughly," she said. Sheehan was only one of four students in the room not to get shot. She jumped on the floor and remained quiet while Cho went on his rampage. "I thought if I played dead then he hopefully would think I was already hit."

In remembrance of Virginia Tech, thousands of items (flowers, cards, condolence books, etc) have been sent to the Hokie Community. The archivist, Tamara Kennelly, is responsible for documenting how everyone beyond the campus dealt with the tragedy, when the world was joined by four words: "We are all Hokies."

I really hope all colleges and universities continue to send their condolences to Virginia Tech. This is a horrific tragedy that could have occurred anywhere. I admire the strength and optimism in the students at Virginia Tech. They continue to be passionate about their school and this unfortunate incident showed how strong they truly are.

I would just like everyone to please remember that this could happen at any university. Let us all remember the victims and wounded individuals of any mass shooting. We are all Hokies.

April 16th: A Hard Day to Forget

Preston Mitchum — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:45:58 EDT

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.

Posts with the tag Seung-Hui Cho

Remembering Virginia Tech

April 16th: A Hard Day to Forget