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April 23, 2007
Editor's note: This story has been corrected.BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech students usually walk across the Drillfield in the center of campus talking on cell phones and walking to class. But thousands stood on that field Monday in a dead silence that only cameras disturbed.
Students, staff, family and friends gathered on the Drillfield at 9:45 a.m., the same time one week ago that English major Seung-Hui Cho ended a shooting spree that killed 33 people including himself.
The moment of silence began with the tolling of a bell to begin the ceremony and kept thousands silent for the next 15 minutes. After the first toll, the bell rang 32 times, once to remember each innocent victim. A white balloon was released with each toll.
"It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," junior Karen O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell said she reevaluated the lives of the victims as she watched each balloon until it was no longer visible.
Proud voices of Virginia Tech students broke the silence by rallying to gather power from their university mascot.
"Let's go, Hokies!" they chanted.
The chant continued until people began dispersing off the field.
The spirit is the best thing about this school, sophomore Mike Smith said. That's why he picked this university.
Smith said the toughest part was remembering the teachers who had passed away and had taught him only days before. He has cried every day this past week.
The 15 minutes of silence was powerful and a good representation of the school's support, sophomore Lauren Rubino said. People can be seen on campus every day wearing orange and maroon, but the green grass was barely visible Monday through the mass of spirited students in their VT attire.
The students surround a handful of tents on the drill field that housed about two dozen double-sided white boards. Little white was visible after students, alumni, children and members of other schools around the country filled the boards with messages to the victims.
O'Donnell said she considered the killer a victim even though there was no bell toll or balloon in his honor.
"He was a victim of his own evil," she said.
Even though O'Donnell and junior Lindsay Housden said they feel every life is valuable, they said they understood that 33 balloons would have upset a lot of people because it's too soon to think about forgiveness.
The silence was about remembering those who innocently lost their lives, Housden said. The gathering was a positive way to start her day and she got some good hugs before class.
"You've cried so many tears, it's nice to stand strong," she said.
And the Virginia Tech community did exactly that. O'Donnell said she considers this campus her home.
"It was the best decision I ever made in my life to come here."
Karen McIntyre can be reached at kmcintyre@theorion.com
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Read more of The Orion's on-location coverage of Virginia Tech:
- Virginia Tech tragedy
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