12:45 p.m., Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech


Name: Allan Lassiter

Age: 58

Hometown: Richmond

Occupation: Civil engineer

Lassiter graduated in 1972 with a degree in civil engineering from Tech. During his years at Virginia Tech in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Allan Lassiter spent many hours in Norris Hall, where Cho’s murderous spree peaked. He said he never imagined Norris Hall’s narrow windows would serve as escape routes.

Submitted by Duncan Adams | The Roanoke Times

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."

Noon, Virginia Tech Police Department

These Little Hokies brought some thank you notes to the Virginia Tech Police and Rescue Squad. Some of the Little Hokies involved were, from top left going clockwise: Leah Sanborn, Nora Chase, Zander Weber, Zander Krisch, and Azalee Chase.

The following poem was written for the occasion by one of the Little Hokies' parents, Bobbie Chase:




Little Hokies. . .

Busy days of play,
learning rules,
teaching kindness,
love comes naturally.

Mom chases babes,
scoots them to and fro:
"Lets go," she says.
"we're on our way..."

12 noon: Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke

A moment of silence followed a brief ceremony to remember the lives of the 32 Virginia Tech students who died on April 16, 2007. Afterward 32 individuals, including Virginia Western students, faculty and staff, will plant a bed of perennial flowers—one for each student who lost their lives.

Noon, Montgomery County Government Building, Christiansburg

More than 100 people, most wearing maroon and orange, stood in a semicircle in front of the county's peace garden. After a moment of silence, a bell hanging from the a sculpture made of steel from the World Trade Center was struck 32 times -- once for each victim of April 16, 2007.

Submitted by Tim Thornton | The Roanoke Times

11:45 a.m., Washington, D.C.

A statement from the President and Mrs. Bush

"April 16, 2007, brought the deadliest day of violence on a college campus in our Nation's history. The horrific crimes committed at Virginia Tech filled our souls with sadness. One year later, we remember the victims murdered and wounded that day.

We join our fellow Americans in praying for the families and friends whose hearts ache for their lost loved ones. We continue to be amazed by the extraordinary Hokie spirit and inspired by the survivors of this tragedy. Students, teachers, and alumni have overcome evil with good by supporting each other with love and compassion. We are humbled by their resilience and confident in the University's bright future.

11:40 a.m., New York

Hillary Clinton Statement on the Anniversary of the Virginia Tech Tragedy:

"On this deeply tragic anniversary, my thoughts are with the families and friends mourning the absence of loved ones who lost their lives in the devastating shooting that took place one year ago at Virginia Tech. As we mark this milestone, let us keep in our prayers the victims and their families, and let us work to build a nation in which all of our children are safe and loved.”

11:20 a.m., Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech

Name: Ab Lucas
Age: 45
Hometown: Blacksburg
Occupation: Custodial Specialist, Virginia Tech

Lucas was working in dorm Ambler-Johnston last year when Seung-Hui Cho shot his first two victims. He said he and other custodial staff heard nothing and saw nothing.

Submitted by Duncan Adams | The Roanoke Times

11:20 a.m., Blacksburg Baptist Church, Blacksburg

Name: Martha Anne Stallings
Age: 56
Hometown: Blacksburg
Occupation: P-TAC Training Program, School of Education, VT

Stallings was working a two-hour shift mid-day at Blacksburg Baptist Church, greeting people visiting the sanctuary to reflect. “Today, we knew it was going to be difficult,” she said. The church, which has a flag flying out front from each of the victim’s native countries, including member Austin Cloyd, has opened its doors to anyone wishing spending time with God, she said. The church had a noon ceremony in which 20 people showed up.

11 a.m., BreakZone, Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech

Koren Breighner, 21, was one of about a dozen students shooting pool at the BreakZone in the Squires Student Center. Nearby, eight other students knocked down pins at the bowling alley.

Breighner, a junior majoring in biological systems engineering, said she planned to stay busy "to take my mind off what's going on."

Submitted by Duncan Adams | The Roanoke Times