Gun control advocates hold ‘lie-in’ on Capitol Square
11 a.m., Capitol Square, Richmond
A small crowd of gun control advocates marked the anniversary of the Tech shootings with a quiet demonstration this morning on Capitol Square in Richmond.
About 65 people attended the rally, including 32 black-clad demonstrators who staged a "lie-in" on the grass near the Bell Tower on the southeast corner of Capitol Square. The Brady Campaign to Stop Gun Violence and a group called Protest Easy Guns organized the rally, and plan a similar demonstration at Tech this afternoon.
Chaz Johnson: 'God forbid'
10:45 a.m., Near Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech
Name: Chaz Johnson
Age: 28
Hometown: Blacksburg
Occupation: Virginia Tech employee
Chaz Johnson was on his way to work at VT last year when the shootings occurred. He believes memorials play an essential role in healing.
Charles Steger: "All our lives were changed on that day"
10:30 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech President Charles Steger welcomes the community at Wednesday afternoon's commemoration ceremony.
Video by Tracy Boyer |
The Roanoke Times
Campus Commemoration: Reading of the names
10:30 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech
During a commemoration this morning, the Virginia Tech community paid tribute to each of victims with a litany of details from their lives.
Video by Tracy Boyer |
The Roanoke Times
Gov. Tim Kaine: Focus on what's important
10:30 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech
Gov. Kaine delivered a poignant speech during the Tech commemoration, and asked the Virginia Tech community to focus on what is important in life and to provide service to others.
Video by Tracy Boyer |
The Roanoke Times
Flags installed at Hotel Roanoke
10:30 a.m., Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke
The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center staff planted 32 Virginia Tech flags in front of the Hotel's Hokie Bird at 10:30 a.m. to commemorate the victims of April 16th. We will always remember.
Submitted by Michael Quonce |
Hotel Roanoke
Thousands attend commemoration
10:30 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech
Tears and hugs abounded on the Drillfield at Virginia Tech as a crowd estimated at several thousand gathered to commemorate the memory of the 32 who died on April 16 a year ago.
They sought comfort in each other, the soothing music of the University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the words of Charles Steger, the school's president.
Although a year has passed, that "unimaginable day" is still all too real, Steger said. Too many nights since have been "shattered by the barrage of our own thoughts," he added. "Indeed, all our lives were changed on that day."
Symphonic Wind commemorates lives lost
10:10 a.m.: Drillfield
Thousands of Hokie community members joined together today on the Drillfield for a midday commemoration. The University Symphonic Wind Ensemble's soothing music marked the mood of the solemn attendees.
Photos by Stephanie Klein-Davis and Kyle Green | Video by Tracy Boyer
Middle-schoolers text their support
The middle schoolers at Central Academy have been forwarding around a text message (not in school of course!) that says, "Virginia Tech -- never forget April 16." My eighth-grade son, Zack Ewen, showed me the text this morning. He got it twice overnight and said it has been going around several weeks. He dressed in his Hokie best, including his maroon, white and orange Adidas tennis shoes.
Submitted by Cathy Benson | The Botetourt View
Matt Hudgins: Grieving with friends
10 a.m., Washington Street, Blacksburg
Name: Matt Hudgins
Age: 22
Hometown: Blacksburg
Occupation: Senior, Virginia Tech
Major: Horticultural landscaping
Blacksburg resident Matt Hudgins, 22, is a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in horticultural landscaping. On the anniversary, he said it's important to grieve with friends.
Submitted by Duncan Adams | The Roanoke Times