2,000+ attend April 16th memorial service on drillfield

More than 2,000 people gathered for memorial event to remember the accomplishments of the 27 students and five faculty members killed during the April 16, 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech Thursday afternoon.

“While the tragedy of April 16, 2007, touched us all, we know that 32 families continue to confront the deepest of all losses - the loss of a loved one, the loss of a life well-lived, and the loss of a bright and promising future,“ said Virginia Tech President Charles Steger told the crowd on the drillfield.

Five of the injured students read passages during the ceremony. One, Colin Goddard, read an old Celtic prayer that said in part: “Be gentle as you walk with grief.“

“This is extremely, extremely sad,“ said Holly Sherman, whose daughter Leslie Sherman was killed.

But she said it was helpful to see other family members again.

“We’re sharing some feelings,“ she said. “There are benefits to having a day like this.“

About 100 relatives of victims and injured students returned for the memorial ceremonies - a few more than last year, according to Debbie Day, head of the school’s Office of Recovery and Support. Many still find it too painful to return, said Joseph Samaha, whose daughter Reema Samaha died.

Suzanne Grimes, Kevin Sterne’s mother, said memories came flooding back when she arrived Wednesday at the hotel where she spent 28 days while he was hospitalized.

While most families accepted an $11 million state settlement and agreed not to file suit, some remain critical of school officials’ actions the day of the shootings. Samaha said he wanted to come to campus not only for the anniversary events, but also “to work on bridge-building.“