9:54 a.m., Richmond


Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today issued the following statement regarding the anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy:


“On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech University suffered a terrible tragedy. Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and the entire Virginia Tech community.


“In the year that has passed since that horrible day, we have grieved for those we lost and prayed for the comfort of their loved ones. We have rejoiced in the recovery of those who were injured. We have been inspired by the unfaltering hope and Hokie spirit of Virginia Tech. And we have renewed our commitment to do even more to learn lessons from that day and to make our campuses and communities safer.

9:51 a.m., Chicago

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama issued the following statement on the anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech:

9:18 a.m., Post Office

Susan Duarte helps a customer at the Main Street Post Office in Blacksburg on the anniversary of the Virginia Tech Shootings. Duarte took Cho's package that contained his manifesto before his rampage in Norris Hall.

Photos and audio by Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

8:45 a.m., PowerZone, Christiansburg

Photo and audio by Duncan Adams | The Roanoke Times

Name: Joshua Nester

Age: 27

Hometown: Christiansburg

Occupation: PowerZone

"The only way I can seem to express myself about the day is with tears."Nester, a VT graduate, said the reality of April 16 has yet to sink in.

8:30 a.m., Hardee's, Christiansburg


Name: Sandra Brown

Age: 64

Hometown: Warrenton



Brown said her husband, a retired extension agent, graduated from VT. Her daughter earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from Tech.

Submitted by Duncan Adams | The Roanoke Times

8:25 a.m., Hardee's, Christiansburg



Ashley Redd

Age: 23

Hometown: Christiansburg

Occupation: Cashier, Hardee's



Ashley Redd was at home last April 16 when she heard the news of the shootings. She plans to attend one of today's memorials. She said the events were tragic and evidenced there's "a lot of crazy people in the world."

8:06 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech

Members of the media have arrived on the Drillfield. Wearing business-card sized press badges and toting laptop bags, cellphones and cameras, six or seven mill around the memorial looking on as visitors pay their respects. At one side of the memorial a pair of photographers, cameras slung over their shoulders, stand chatting. Alongside them a group checks microphones in preparation for the University Commemoration. And a few yards away, a videographer sets up his tripod.
Submitted by Angela Manese-Lee | The Roanoke Times

8 a.m. Duck Pond, Virginia Tech

Tech alums and Northern Virginia residents April Nye and Matthew Schrader returned to campus for the Day of Remembrance.
Photos and audio by Angela Manese-Lee | The Roanoke Times

7:30 a.m., Arlington


Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain today issued the following statement on the Virginia Tech anniversary:


"On this day, Cindy and I join with all the students, faculty, friends and family of the Virginia Tech community in remembering those who were taken from this life too early. Even after a year, the tragic events at Virginia Tech remain inconceivable. Words cannot describe the sadness that affected all Americans on that day and ever since. As parents ourselves, Cindy and I would like to extend our prayers to all those remembering the loss of a loved one today."

11:15 a.m.: 2500 North Main Street, Blacksburg

Students at Blacksburg New School remembered April 16 by celebrating peace.

See more photos here

Submitted by: Linda Jilk, Blacksburg