This day always hits me like a ton of bricks – the day life at Virginia Tech changed, the day my life changed. It’s been nine years, and I can still remember the fear and panic of the day, even though I wasn’t on campus. I will never forget the horror I felt watching the coverage, the panic of trying to reach my friends still on campus. I remember the relief as I slowly heard from each of them and the crushing realization that Blacksburg would never, ever be the same. I remember the first time I saw the memorial we never wanted.
We have moved forward. We have prevailed, but we’ll never forget.
Hug your loved ones a little tighter today, and remember the 32.
“While 32 of our friends and classmates are in Heaven trying to explain what a Hokie is, I stand here sure of the fact that I wouldn’t want to be anything else.”
