fpoon, et al in Blacksburg, CHECK IN!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:49 pm

TubaRay wrote:I must question the radio show that has in effect allowed itself to be blackmailed into giving airtime. This I don't understand.

Nor do I. What they are threatening to do at this time of grief (as well as others) if not acceded to is repulsive to ANY intelligent person. At least people can just change the channel!

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:25 pm

As a recent graduate on Virginia Tech who no longer lives in Blacksburg, it was extremely hard to see what so many of my friends and fellow Hokies were experiencing that horrible day. It reminded me so much of last year when I was teaching in California and my grandfather, my namesake, passed away back in Virginia. The feelings of hopelessness, pain, and vulnerability where so strong, feeling so far away from those affected that you care so much about.

Although I only live an hour away, my duties and commitments at work kept me from all of the services and gave me no chance to at least visit the campus. Blacksburg could have been 100 hours away! But it was doing what I love doing, teaching my kids, playing my horn in rehearsals and gigs, just keeping busy, that pulled me through.

I am glad to hear that many students will be returning tomorrow to resume classes. Sometimes this can be the best medicine. Instead of focusing on the tragedy, let us all continue with our lives in honor of those lost, living it to the fullest.

God Bless all of my Hokies, near and far.

Will

fpoon · Post by **fpoon** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:53 pm

Those of us who went down for the memorial on Saturday and then the funeral on Monday got back to VA late Monday evening.

The hospitality of everyone in and around Augusta amazed me. Most of us wore VT stuff all around (c'mon, we're college kids its pretty much all we have) and there was not a place people did not come up and talk to us.

Several restaurants, including Fatz, Chic-Fil-A, Checkers, and the Sunrise Cafe and Grill fed us throughout our time down there. If ever down in Augusta, please support these restaurants.

In case of hatred inspired signage, the Augusta PD and GA State Police where EVERYWHERE. We had police escorts half the time. Awesome of that dude to give up radio time, but even if he hadn't, nothing would have happened.

Serving as a pallbearer for a friend is something many of us will do in our time, but rarely so early. Despite that, the service and remembrance were just the way my friend would have wanted them. A celebration.

As many of us in the bands lives were entwined with this one man, it is difficult to comprehend the loss of not only him, but of 31 other innocent students. The amount of support VT has received has shocked and astounded me, as has the medias vileness.

Thanks to everyone for their posts and messages.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:59 pm

"Stack" got a very nice write-up in this week's Newsweek, along with all of the other victems, individually.

fpoon · Post by **fpoon** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:48 pm

Bloke, I can probably speak for all current and past Hokies who post on these boards when I ask you to keep opinions like that to yourself (or, don't post links to them in this forum). It is far too early in the grieving process to start assigning blame for this tragedy to the university or commonwealth for actions that stemmed from the heinous acts of one crazed person.