On May 18th, 2007 the NYC Chapter of the Virginia Tech alumni Association hosted a benefit event to honor the victims of the April 16th tragedy that occurred on our campus in Blacksburg, VA. Thanks to the approximately 700 alumni and friends who attended the event, we were able to raise $50,000 to launch the Eternal Hokies Scholarship Fund. We will continue to raise funds on an annual basis to support this worthy cause to create a living legacy for those that were lost while seeking knowledge and those that were lost while imparting it. For additional information, please visit www.marooneffect.org.
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Candelight Vigil - On April 19, 2007, the Manhattan Hokies organized a Candlelight Vigil at Washington Square Park in New York City where over 500 alumni and friends gathered to reflect on those lost. The vigil was covered in publications throughout the Greater New York City area.
Carrie Dean - a Clemson Alum in NYC - and “Honerary Hokie” in our eyes - who eloquently captured the essence of the evening and shared with us…
Below are some reflections I sent to my cousin, our club members who couldn’t make it and some other folks…just wanted to share them with you.
Carrie
“Sometimes you just have to pray with your feet.”
The wise words spoken by an NYU Rabbi who, along with two of his students, had traveled to Blacksburg for the vigil on Tuesday. They took the trip simply to be there…to show the VA Tech family that they were not alone in their grief. They held signs that read “NYC Stands with you” because they remembered, in the days and weeks after 9/11, how much similar gestures had meant to the citizens of our city. The Rabbi said they were overwhelmed by the response they received, how grateful people were that they’d made the trip.
“Do you have a place to stay?” “Have y’all had dinner yet?” were common questions as those they’d come to care for offered care in return.
Fast forward 48 hours to a similar scene in Washington Square Park, NYC. Some 400 people were gathered together in the increasing chill of twilight to…well, pray with our feet. There were many VA Tech alumni there but they did not make up the entire crowd…a fact that surprised many of them. A representative from the Mayor’s office offered the heartfelt sympathies of our city…”a city that not only has a unique understanding of this kind of grief,” he said, “but also - and more importantly - a deep and abiding knowledge of the power of humanity coming together to heal.”
The VA Tech alumni who spoke talked of ‘Hokie Pride’ and the things that made their alma mater so special. One read a poem titled ‘This is Virginia Tech’ that expressed her faith that the horrific acts of 4/16/07 would not come to define her University…”we will emerge stronger, more compassionate and more faithful because this is Virginia Tech.”
As the evening’s darkness descended, candles were lit…all from one flame - a candle that the Rabbi brought back from the vigil in Blacksburg. When the park was aglow with 400 small flames, the names of the victims were read. A moment of silence followed…a heavy, tearful silence that could be felt and not just heard and that lasted much longer than a moment. The silence was broken by a small voice in the back of the crowd. “Let’s go Hokies. Let’s go Hokies.” Voices joined in the chant and we all held our candles high…”Let’s go Hokies! Let’s go Hokies.”
My voice was breaking, tears flowing as I yelled but I proudly joined in…”Let’s go Hokies!” Later, when it was my turn at the microphone, I joked that - though I’d always felt a special affinity for VA Tech, once they joined the ACC I never imagined I’d say “Let’s go Hokies” ever again. That got a laugh…by that time we were all ready for some laughs. The alums that followed me at the mic told funny tales of adventures in Blacksburg. I was reminded how very similar our alma maters really are.
All & all it was an incredibly special, powerful event and I was honored to be there…I was proud to be a New Yorker, proud to be a Tiger, proud to be an ACC alumna and so very grateful to be warmly welcomed into the Hokie family.
Today, as I did last night, I am proudly wearing a splash of maroon with my orange.
Let’s go Hokies!
Carrie
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Ut Prosim – “That I May Serve”
Virginia Tech Motto
*100% of the funds raised at Maroon Effect will be donated to aid the healing process of those impacted by the tragedy. By attending or donating to this event, your contribution will directly contribute to: memorial scholarships, expense support to victims and families, grief counseling, and memorials.
