I am a Virginian by birth, a Hokie by marriage. I've spent many glorious weekends at VT over the years - this pain runs throughout the Hokie Nation.
Thank you all for your comforting words here.

I have a cousin there at Virginia Tech and thank God he is OK, yet I'm sure this time of his life will always be painful for him. My prayers are with you all, parents, family members, friends and survivors. Even though I don't exactly know what a "Hokie" is...seeing how you've all conducted yourselves with such love & caring for one another, I'd be proud to be called one. Keep turning to God, He is ALWAYS there-and remember, YOU WILL SEE THEM AGAIN IN PARADISE!

We pray for VT families that are hurting. We pray that from this evil, many will turn their hearts towards The Lord. Romans 10:13 says whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Call on Jesus for salvation for healing and for comfort. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Habakkuk 3:2
2 O LORD, I have heard of your renown,
and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work.
In our own time revive it;
in our own time make it known;
in wrath may you remember mercy.

My daughter was there last night and was as well appalled at the media wanting to find something negative to report. She said to one reporter “if you are not here to remember and pray for those involved in this tragedy then you should leave”.

The Mountaineers are right there beside you feeling the pain and sorrow that each one of you are feeling. Please know we are with you in spirit and in prayer and you will forever be in our hearts and minds over the next days and months ahead. May God bless you and comfort you. Let's Go Hokies!

I was at home when I heard of this horibble news! I am a mother of a college freshman daughter,here in Illinois. I called my daughter shortly after the news to tell her that I love her. I wanted to know if she is fine since this tragedy could have been in any college in any town!
My family and I pray for all of those involved!

My heart goes out to all of you who have suffered a loss in this unnecessary tragedy. After the tragic shooting death of my friend, I can tell you that no matter how many years pass, those we love and still love remain in our hearts. I find my solace in the belief that I will see my friend again someday. Until then for all of us, I send you prayers for strength and peace. May God bless you all.

For those of you reading these messages, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that the Lord will bring comfort to your heavy hearts. It's difficult to see the light in this tragedy, but I encourage you to please ask Jesus Christ to make himself personally real to you...prayer changes things...prayer penetrates darkness...Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart...with your own free will open the door and invite Him into your heart today. Our prayers are with you...Fullerton CA.

To the students, staff and faculty at VT,
As a fellow college administrator, my heart broke upon hearing of the tragic events that took place on your campus. Please know that you, your families, friends and community are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and may you take comfort in Him during this time.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4(NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

My heart hurts for you all at VT. My prayers are for you all to feel healing grace, soon. Know that there is painful awareness of your sorrows. I am appalled, and angry that schools suffer so with threats and misdeeds. From this little spot in the middle of New York State, I wish you all well..soon.

Such an inspiring post. I am so very sorry for all your loses. I pray that as each day goes by that your hearts will hurt a little less each day. I wish I could hug each of you. I am nobody, all the way out in california and knew no one involved but I am still very very sorry and saddened for all of you. May God lift you up in his loving arms.

This is such a tragedy for all. I have sat here and wept for all invovled - the families, students, teachers, friends. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

My heart is broken for those affected so deeply by this senseless tragedy. My prayers are with you.
Mary, Anchorage, Alaska

I have done some teaching in high schools and have often wished that each classroom had TWO doors. I have not seen this security feature addressed in any comments so far and thought I would throw this out as something that might be considered for classroom security in the future. If these students and teachers had had another exit except windows, wonder how that might have helped. Just something to consider in the light of this latest school tragedy. My heart goes out to VA TECH for I have spent much time in and around that area while working in DC. Such senseless violence - such a waste of our youth and our educators - who had so much to give. We cannot do anymore for them, but we can ensure that other students have a better chance to survive in a similar situation. And two doors in each classroom, is that too much expense for our youth? In my mind, it is not enough... but it may help not only as security but as an increased comfort zone for our youth and their teachers. Just a thought... what do you think?

As a mother who lost her only son 12 years ago on April 19th, from a fire, I know the pain that all the Virginia Tech mothers and family will face not just now but for the rest of their lives and I weep for them.

In all the remembering, prayers and comforting words throughout the internet, I have not noticed any compassion offered to the parents of this mentally and spiritually deranged young man who perpetrated this evil act. They too must now bury their son and try to face the world as his new name echoes in their ears "The murderer" for the rest of their lives. We all know that what he did will most likely take him straight to hell but we should try to remember that his family has also become a victim of his rage. I pray for all the families who have lost a family member to this tragedy.

For all those who aren't Hokies, Virginian, or even American, I cannot express how much it means to know that we are in your thoughts and prayers. Your support means so much to this Hokie grad. Although I didn't know any of the fallen Hokies, I still feel a sense of loss and am always thinking of them and their families in this most dificult time. May God bless us all with peace and comfort.

My sincere condolence to VT. I hope that the grieving
parents will be strong.

If only we could have the courage and strength when we see something amiss, or the red flags, that someone is crying out for some kind of help, that someone is hurting deep down inside......

things can be done, situations can be changed, we can help. So often we are afraid to get involved, afraid of overstepping our boundaries. We cop out with "our hands are tied", or the "system" says this or that is not warranted.....

so sad...we need to pay closer attention to our loved ones and yes, even just people around us.

My heart goes out to all the victims, victims relatives and to Cho's family....who are hurting right along with the rest of us. God has taken his "little lambs" up to heaven with him Monday, and they shall see their loved ones again one day.
We pray for them and their families.

This is a human tragedy caused by a human. Praying to imaginary friends does nothing to help prevent actions like this in the future, it simply justifies it and opens the door for more folks to do the same in the future. I sympathize with the people who lost love ones during the events, but we need to analyze these events realistically and not blame supernatural deities.

Regardless of your lwn beliefs or lack thereof, now is no time to challenge people's faith when they are relying on it most. I don't give Satan credit for this, but I do see the hand of God in the response. if you cannot be helpful, please keep your comments to yourself.

Thank you to those praying for our fellow Hokies and their families. As a Hokie and Virginian, the students and people of Blacksburg make me proud in their abilities to support each other. Hokie pride is strong and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.