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'We are strong' a year after Tech shootings

Posted: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:25 PM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under:

By Hoda Kotb, NBC News

It still hurts. A year has passed and it still hurts. I keep paging through the newspapers and reading bits and pieces, stories of survivors a year later. My heart aches. I am a 1986 Virginia Tech graduate. It may have been 22 years since I graduated, but I feel so close to that campus. It’s my school.

I will never forget one year ago, those images, those frantic kids running across my campus, through my drill field, becoming my memories. I searched for people I knew—some teachers, Tri-Delta sorority sisters. I realized that even though I didn’t personally know the people who were killed, I did know them. They were brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, they wore maroon and orange and cheered for the Hokies. They were family.

Everyone said this experience would define that campus, but I don’t think so. I really don’t. I think people are defined by what they do after a tragedy, and the wonderful people of Virginia Tech rose up.

They held hands, helped each other, and they are getting stronger every day. I’ll be honest with you: I am sitting in my apartment right now, working on the commencement speech for Virginia Tech. They deserve so much. I hope I am worthy of this honor.

The students of Virginia Tech have overcome so much. They are scarred, but they don’t want you to give them “the look.” You know the one. When you ask them where they go to school and they proudly say “Virginia Tech.” You give them the look of pity. We are  strong. We are Virginia Tech.

On April 16, 2007, Hoda Kotb responded to the shootings with her piece Not at my alma mater

Click here to watch VIDEO of Hoda's recollection.

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Comments

Hoda, you are right.  We are strong.  After all, we are Hokies.  I am nearing 50 and that special place in the Blue Ridge mountains, is still my home.  I have family that is on staff there and younger ones that go to school there.  My family has been and will forever be closely tied to Virginia Tech.

It will always hurt, that terrible tragedy of 4/16/07.  I will forever keep those lost in my heart and the families in my prayers.

And always my cheer will be "Let's Go!!!  HOKIES!!!"

Joe Harris, Gainesville, GA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:06 AM)

Thank you for your piece today. A Hokie myself, alum, but always a Hokie - it was nice to read from a fellow Hokie. God Bless and Go Tech!
Allison Crompton

Allison Crompton, Alexandria, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:10 AM)

My son is finishing his first year there and he loves it, the sense of respect they have for one another and sense of community is unbelievable. And you are right when asked where he attends this look is given and peoplp have know idea they are even doing this, it always amazes me.

Colleen Bennett Oak Ridge, NJ (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:15 AM)

One of the reasons my daughter and I picked Virginia Tech for her to attend was the sense of school pride both on campus and as alumni.  And while I hate what she went through, I can't think of a better school to be at for the grassroot support to overcome a terrible event like this.

Carolyn Faraday, Herndon, VA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:06 PM)

My son's future is defined by all the good that flows from Virginia Tech. He is and always will be a Hokie. He is currently working as a construction engineer on the Freedom Tower in NYC.  He was on campus the day of the tradgedy and like so many students, said it was important for him,to finish the year! We as parents are proud of our son, and Virginia Tech. It is a constant reminder of all the good things in American and American universities.

George F. Gabb, Chesapeake, Virgina (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:51 PM)

Hoda, your own personal resilience, strength and determination mirrows that of the entire VT community and the Hokie Nation at large in times of adversity. I am sure you are a most worthy advocate and will do our school proud at commencement. Thank you kindly, Mark (M.U.A.'74)

Mark Hughes,Newport News,Va. (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:08 PM)

Thank you for representing the Hokie Nation the way you do. Despite the lack of exposure to the rest of the world, feelings of Hokie pride and community existed long before Coach Beamer put us in the national limelight (but thank you for the boost, coach !!)- back when we had more definitions for hokies (cant get into them here !) than names for our school(VPI <+SU>,VaTech, etc.) Congrats on being selected for 2008 Commencement - make sure the "scoreboard Gobbler" gets a few "words" in to represent for the nation ! GO HOKIES !

brian tully-'76, davenport fl (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 3:20 PM)

We are the Hokies and we have prevailed. Ut Prosim.

Johnnie Nichols, Middletown, IN, VT '83 (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 4:27 PM)

We are parents of a Tech graduate and a son who is a grad. student and employed at Tech fo 11 yrs. We are very Proud of ALL the Hokies thru-out the world that have survived this situation. All involved staff, student body and parents can be proud to wear the colors of VT.

CHAD/SOPHIA DEBONIS, FOXFIRE VILLAGE, NC. (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6:39 PM)

Thank you for giving us, the Alum's of VT, a voice.  Yesturday my daughter mailed her acceptance letter to VT.  We purposefully wanted it to be postmarked on April 16th, to signify that we are strong, we will continue to grow and build this wonderful school and community and so that she can remember a wonderful thing associated with this day as well as the tragedy.  I'm so proud a second generation in my family will get to experience the amazing opportunities VT has to offer.  Go Hokies and the Class of 2012. I was not aware you'd be delivering the commencement address, but I'm sure you are the right person for the job.  We'll keep you in our prayers.

Beth Massey, Check, VA (Sent Thursday, April 17, 2008 9:52 AM)

It is good tha students are stong enough to overcome the great tragedy of last year. Keep on being strong.

Brooklyn (Sent Thursday, April 17, 2008 11:58 AM)

There is no truer phrase than once a Hokie always a Hokie, yesterday I wore my Hokies United shirt, and my heart still ached.  As you said that was my drillfield, my school, but the students, the alumni, the community, the state I was raised in, they stood strong that day, that week, this past year, and they continue to show the Hokie Spirit.  They will do the victims proud and carry on their works. I hope if anything we have learned through this awful tragedy is that there are no guarantees in this life. Hold those dear to you close each day.  

Lisa Day Mayfield,Whitesville, KY (Sent Thursday, April 17, 2008 12:42 PM)

What defines Tech is a sense of community, a sense of pride, and a fierce dedication to high quality education. I am completing my graduate work there this year and my daughter has been a student at the lab school there. Although the events of 4/16/07 will forever be etched in our memories, our thoughts and discussions about Tech are about so much more. Thank you to the Virginia Tech community for allowing me the honor of being a Hokie.

David Cox (Sent Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:16 PM)

I'm a Hokie through blood. Both my parents are Virginia Tech Alumn and I have other family that aer as well. I grew up at all the games. I never went to Tech, but I am proud to be a part of the Hokie family and mourn the pain that was bourne that fateful day. But We Will Prevail....

Tara Vadeboncoeur, Fredericksburg, VA (Sent Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:18 PM)

I am a grad student from India who got selected to attend Virginia Tech this year. Students and scholars all around the world stood in shocked silence when the events of that fateful day unfolded. Of three offers, I chose to be a 'Hokie' for the wonderful community spirit at this school and it's great academic tradition. This experience would, I am sure, remain the most wonderful and enriching experience of my life. I cant wait to join school this fall. Go Tech!!

Gaurav Dogra, New Delhi, NCR, India (Sent Saturday, April 26, 2008 2:01 PM)



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