VT Mourns for NIU|ABC 13

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VT Mourns for NIU

posted 11:53 pm Mon February 18, 2008 - Blacksburg, VA

tags: virginia tech • shootings • illinois • niu

The Virginia Tech community knows firsthand the pain and suffering those at Northern Illinois are experiencing after last week's deadly shootings in DeKalb.

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After the Tech shootings, support from around the world poured in to Blacksburg, including from those at NIU. Students there strung rosary beads together to send to Virginia Tech last spring.

Monday night it was the Hokies turn to help a grieving campus. It’s a scene associated with tragedy. Under the moonlit sky, thousands hold candles uniting for support.

John McBrien, Hokies United - "We kind of knew in some way that eyes were going to be on us. People were going to wonder how Virginia Tech responds to someone else doing the same thing."

On this night exactly 10 months ago Hokies gathered for a vigil much like this.

Ken Stanton, Student - "The support we received here in April really helped us come back together."

The difference, this vigil is not for Hokies, but for Huskies.

Nicole Fillman, VT Supporter - "They need to feel our support just as well as we felt their support."

And it was support they gave. You could say they were just giving it back.

Brianna Morgan, VT Junior - "I think it means more to us, I would say to come out and show support because all the support the other schools showed us."

Hokies exchanged their orange and maroon for NIU’s red and black. Just another silent but powerful message from Blacksburg to DeKalb.

Stanton - "It doesn't matter if you're next door or you are thousands of miles away, were all going for the same goal."

The Hokies hope one night of support will have a lasting effect on a community in healing.

Fillman - "Everyone is so closer now and this family is much stronger now and they will get that too."

Hokies United wants to send care packages to the people at Northern Illinois, but they need your help. They need things like candy, snacks, water and soda along with letters of condolence.

Here’s where you can drop off those items -- Care Package Items Collection, Wednesday February 20th to Friday February 22nd at the Squires Student Center Room 314 from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

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