Vigil honors memory of those lost in Virginia
Karan Grewal, a Virginia Tech student, wishes things would go back to normal.
Grewal shared a dorm with Seung-Hui Cho, the killer responsible for Monday’s shooting, for nine months.
Before going back to normal though, communities and schools are taking a moment to remember those who died at Virginia Tech.
A candlelight vigil was held at NDSU on Thursday evening.
People gathered on the lawn between Old Main and the library.
Student government and Radio Fargo collaborated to host the event.
“Everyone was given candles, and the idea was to light them and walk down Albrecht Avenue to the Fargodome parking lot where a memorial service would be held,” Student Body President Dante Miller said. “The wind was kind of strong, so the candles didn’t stay lit for long.”
Miller was emcee for the service. President Joseph Chapman and Mayor Dennis Walaker each spoke at the event.
Ervin Inniger, senior associate in the athletic department, said a nondenominational prayer, which was followed by a moment of silence.
Clara Presser, a senior majoring in music, sang Amazing Grace.
Lauren Derbyschire was a special guest for the service; she told her story of surviving the Columbine shooting eight years ago and the journey afterward.
Several people started crying listening to Derbyschire’s experiences.
“If nothing else, I want people to know how much little things mean to people and how important it is to not push things off to the side,” Derbyschire said. “Show concern and listen to people.”
Vigils were held all over the United States—while those directly affected by the shooting are grieving, the rest of the nation is grieving along with them.
The family of Cho apologized Friday for the devastation he caused in the shooting rampage at Virginia Tech. “He has made the world weep. We are living a nightmare,” said his sister Sun-Kyung Cho, in a written statement issued on behalf of her family in their first public comments about the shooting. “Our family is so very sorry for my brother’s unspeakable actions. It is a terrible tragedy for all of us.”
Life is slowly moving toward the routine for people at Virginia Tech, the first athletic event since the massacre was held Friday evening on the sports-crazy campus, when Virginia Tech and the University of Miami took the field for a baseball game.
Before the game started, the crowd at English Field observed 32 seconds of silence, one second for each of Cho’s victims. The University of Miami also donated $10,000 to a memorial fund for the victims’ families. A record crowd of 3,132 witnessed the emotional 11-9 victory for Miami.
The building where the shooting took place is closed for the rest of the school year while the investigation continues. Police look for clues on Cho’s cell phone and laptop for planning or prior communication.
Classes at Virginia Tech were scheduled to resume on Monday. Students were given the options of withdrawing or taking their current grades without finishing the term. Those interviewed on Friday overwhelmingly said they planned to return to class at Virginia Tech.