Memorials, debates linger in Tech aftermath
By: William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer
April 16, 2009
 |
| A Virginia Tech student stands by a makeshift vigil honoring victims of the shootings during last year’s Day of Remembrance in Blacksburg on April 17. (AP) |
Two years since mentally ill gunman Seung-Hui Cho murdered 32 students and faculty at Virginia Tech, the state isn’t done sorting out the tragedy.
The Kaine administration has shored up Virginia’s flawed background-check system that let Cho obtain two handguns. A judge has approved an $11 million settlement for the families of most of the victims. State lawmakers have pumped millions of dollars into mental health funding and strengthened laws on involuntary commitment.
The school reopened the wing of Norris Hall this month where Cho carried out most of the killings.
On the second anniversary of the April 16, 2007, massacre, finite actions have given way to perennial questions. The gun-control argument sparked by the killings has proved as enduring as the remembrance ceremonies being held across the Blacksburg campus today.
A group sponsored by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week debuted a 30-second commercial in which Omar Samaha, whose sister Reema died in the attack, criticized Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert McDonnell for his opposition to closing the “gun show loophole.” The General Assembly has repeatedly blocked efforts to close the loophole, which allows unlicensed firearms dealers to skirt background checks. Cho did not buy his weapons at a gun show.
The unity shown on campus couldn’t be farther from that polarizing debate.
The first Day of Remembrance last year brought out thousands of maroon-and-orange-clad students, faculty, alumni and community members. Classes are again canceled today to mark the anniversary.
“The bottom line is the real purpose of this is to remember those who lost their lives,” Virginia Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said.
He said many of today’s events are similar to those held last year, though the school will hold a new 3.2-mile Run in Remembrance, beginning at 8 a.m. at Alumni Mall and ending at the sprawling Drillfield.
About 3,400 people had pre-registered for the run by Wednesday morning, said Cathy Kropff, marketing manager for Tech’s Department of Recreational Sports. She estimated the crowd of runners would grow to 4,000 by this morning.
“The run is a way to remember those that we lost, remember the good times we had with those that were lost, and try to help the community deal with the loss and help them get through the day,” she said.
