Today is the 2nd Anniversary of the shootings that took place at Virginia Tech. At midnight to night I attended the lighting of the cermonial candle outside of Burress Hall, the main building on campus. Around the candle stood 32 Hokie Stones, all with the names of the victims of that tragic day.

At exactly Midnight, the Honor Guard of the Corps of Cadets walked out and took up position on the pathways around the stones, as 2 cadets escorted a family member/ friend, not sure which, to the candle in the middle. Once they lit the candle the two cadets took up position on either side of it and will stand there until relieved by others who will take their position, much like you see at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, though a bit different. I have to be honest, I nearly lost it after that moment, 2 cadets marched out of Burress Hall and played Taps, probably the most depressing music known to man. Shortly after that I witnessed what has to be the saddest event I've ever seen. Family members and friends walked out to the candle and the stones and paid their respects, some in solitude, some with friends, others openly weeping. I myself was lucky enough to have been in high school when the tragic events unfolded, but as a Hokie, it really hurts to see such a sight. I realized in that instant how much family and friends meant to me, and after watching all the familys make their way through, my friends and I headed to the campus church, where we all were lost in our own thoughts. I myself took some time afterward to text my family, even at such a late hour, to tell them how much they mean to me. I hope none of you have to experience this sort of thing.

I'll be pulling out my previously made sig for the occasion, though it seems grossly inadequate to express the sense of loss that grips this campus and it's supporters/students/what have you.

Thousands of students and faculty went to cla.ss that day, 32 never came back. This is for them, I never knew them, but I'll never forget them. They were friends, family, but most importantly, fellow Hokies, their loss will not be forgotten.