Letters to the Editor

News Virginian
Published: May 1, 2007

Support the Hokie Nation

On April 16, the place I have come to call home was attacked. I was thousands of miles away and yet I felt grief as strongly as though I were there in Norris Hall with my classmates who were brutally murdered. Every day I find more and more connections to the horrible events that have changed all of my Hokie family forever. While I must be grateful that I was far away and safe when this happened, I cannot help but wish that I were in Blacksburg right now, supporting my Hokies and gaining from their support, as well.

Luckily for me, I have all of your support, thoughts and prayers. I have received so many e-mails and messages that it is impossible for me to respond to every one, even as I recognize each individual who has contacted me. I will not forget each person that has showed me so much support as long as I live.

Fortunately, I am not included in the list of precious people who need extensive help. Those who were killed, those who lived, those who lost loved ones - these are the people who need your support most.

Because I know that you are all forgiving, loving people, I ask you to please visit the following two Web sites. The first is infinitely important to me. I must express my dismay with the way the media and others are viewing the president of my college, Charles Steger, and the chief of Virginia Tech's police department, Wendell Flinchum, and the decisions they made on April 16. As far as I am concerned, no one can point fingers except to the one who is now dead by his own hand. Please visit http://www.wesupportvt.com/ and give your support to those men. Their decisions were undoubtedly made on the best knowledge and faith, and there can be no second-guessing. It will not help the victims rest in peace or the community move on.

The second Web site is of equal importance. It is simply a site where donations can be made to the families of the victims. I know that I don't need to explain further. This is located at http://www.vt.edu/tragedy/memorial_fund.php.

I urge you to never forget April 16, 2007; I know I will not. At the same time, I must ask that you not let it define Virginia Tech in your mind. I hope that all the Hokies you have known will give you the picture of what the Hokie Nation is about. We are a community. We are a family. This will never be changed even by an unimaginably horrific event, and it is my hope that the world will recognize that. Continue to keep the Hokie family in your thoughts and prayers. Right now 32 of these family members are trying to explain to heaven what a Hokie is.
With my greatest love and respect,

Maggie Bowman

Virginia Tech class of 2008

Editor's note: Maggie Bowman, a graduate of Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville, was studying abroad in Italy for the semester when the shootings occurred at Virginia Tech. This letter was originally written as an e-mail to her well-wishers.

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Cheney should get the boot

This administration has abused the public trust and committed crimes against the people of the United States, the world and the planet. Dick Cheney in particular is responsible for the misdeeds of this administration and continues to mislead and lie to the American public. He should be removed from office for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Charles Shelton

Grottoes