The "Virginia Tech massacre" occurred nearly (or more than, depending on your math) three weeks ago. Usually I respond to such things in a more timely manner, but I haven't quite known what to say. Still don't.
The Associated Press released a story last Thursday (April 26) that, when I read it to my dad, left us both a bit choked up. You should read it (below), even if the events aren't in the news cycle anymore.
This is the Greenville News version of the story, which is what I read to my father. The full version (which I do not prefer as much) can be found at http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3085731.
Va. Tech Has Little Anger for Gunman
By SUE LINDSEY
BLACKSBURG, Va. Apr 26, 2007 (AP)— Kelly White and her two children visited the semicircle of memorials on the Virginia Tech campus, leaving 32 pink tulips one for each victim in last week's massacre. They also placed a tulip on the stone for gunman Seung-Hui Cho.
"Forgiveness is part of being freed from anger," said White, a Blacksburg resident with relatives who attended the school.
Cho killed 32 people in the worst shooting in modern U.S. history. But there has been surprisingly little outrage directed toward him around campus.
He is memorialized alongside his victims, and students preach forgiveness and talk about him like a troubled family member.
Campus leaders, experts and those touched by the tragedy say there are several reasons for the spirit of forgiveness. Many people are too overcome by grief to think about anything else. The fact that Cho killed himself provided enough retribution, some say. Others say the forgiveness is rooted in the strong Christian values of this area.
And there's also the loyalty to the "Hokie Nation."
After a student organization placed the stone memorials in a semicircle last week on the main campus lawn, senior Katelynn L. Johnson added a 33rd stone for Cho.
"I believe his life had value no matter what he did," she said. "We lost 33 people."
After the first stone for Cho was removed, someone else came forward and placed a new one there. As of Thursday, the stone remained.
In a letter that lay on Cho's stone Thursday, "Erica" said she wished she could have helped him:
"Even though my eyes are tired of crying;
"Even though my campus, my home will never be the same …
"I forgive you.
"And I love you."
