Salem, Roanoke College sound bells

12:01 p.m., Salem Marketplace, Salem

Photos and audio by Jeanna Duerscherl | The Roanoke Times
Lieutenant Eddie Hite of the Salem Fire & EMS Department polished the Salem city bell before a tribute to Virginia Tech.

"Each time I ring the bell, I know it signifies somebody's life," he said before the memorial. "When you hear it ring, you bring somebody to mind."

Scores of people crowded the Salem Marketplace in honor of Virginia Tech students as they listened to Hite and Theresa Jackson of Roanoke College ring two bells in honor of students.

Jackson, who rung the Roanoke College bell at the tribute, taught Henry Le in the school's upward bound program.

Kevin Boggess, Salem City Manager, called a moment of silence as the tones of the bells resonated through the crowd, many wearing maroon and orange with balloons. The crowd stood in silence as 32 tones, one for each victim, was joined in a chorus of chimes from local church bells in a harmonious discord.

A single maroon balloon flew into the air as people hugged one another and looked onto the bell as they listened to the deep timbre of the bell.

The bell service was followed by an opening prayer of healing by Shiloh Baptist Church Reverend Adrian Dowell and a musical tribute from church Deacon John Hodge.

Boggess delivered words from poet and Tech professor Nikki Giovani emphasizing the strength of the human spirit and Roanoke College Chaplain Paul Henrickson led a closing prayer.

Submitted by Marvin Anderson | The Roanoke Times