Remembering April 16 with fraternity brothers

5:20 p.m., Roanoke Street, Blacksburg

The patio is filled with shirtless young men. Smoke rises from the grill. The volleyball court is empty at the end of a match. And girls in bikinis stand against the ledge of the balcony.

Nelson Oliver, 23, is hanging out with his brothers in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. "It's an interesting time for everyone," he said. "That's why we decided to spend it here among our brothers. That's where you find your strength."

Oliver went to the Drillfield ceremony this morning and planned to return for the candlelight vigil this evening long enough to light a candle and pay his respects.

"This has been a really good day of healing for everyone." But he does not want to get caught up in the ceremony so much that he relives that April day one year ago. Instead, he wants to focus on spending time with his friends in his last weeks on campus before finishing his master's and heading to an accounting job in New York City.

"The important this is to not let that [the shootings] affect our celebration of life."

Meanwhile, at a fraternity down the road where the American flag in the front yard stood at half mast, a student named Mike admitted he was trying to drink 32 beers in honor of the victims. But so far, as of 5:45, he had only made it through three cans of Coors.

Submitted by Erinn Hutkin | The Roanoke Times