We had a very surreal moment over a quick dinner at a pub in Blacksburg, Va., tonight.
Correspondent Don Teague and I entered the restaurant to grab a bite to eat and see if we could find a TV to watch NBC Nightly News. Inside music was playing, beer was flowing and pool balls were flying. On the surface, it seemed like a typical happy hour in a typical college town. But, then it was 6:30 p.m. and someone at a nearby table asked the waiter if one of the TV channels could be changed to NBC.
Within five minutes, the entire bar scene had turned somber. Four more TVs were turned to NBC and the rock and roll music overhead was turned off. All eyes silently watched the latest news.
A woman at a table behind us started to cry as she watched story after story of a place very near and dear to her. We caught eyes and she knew that Don and I worked for NBC by the peacock badge around our necks. As we paid our tab and left, we said what little we could to express our grief, "We're very sorry for the loss in your community and bless you."
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As officials, students and families struggle to come to terms with the tragedy at Virginia Tech, a team of MSNBC.com reporters and editors and NBC News producers and correspondents is on the scene.
I am saddened....I have a child that attends a Tech school here in Calgary Alberta....I felt helpless that day...weak at the knees...I can not imagine what you are all going through...To loss a Father, Mother, Child, friend....the pain is unmeasurable...
God be with you in your grief....and may the sun shine for all of you in the days ahead.
Shelley Klee, Calgary Alberta Canada. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 2:47:11 PM)
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in VA. What a terrible loss for everyone to go through. It is just so tragic to hear of the things that is going on in our everyday lives anymore. May God bless you and help you through this time of need.
Co, Bradenton, FL. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 2:52:33 PM)
Being a Vietnam Veteran where so many mother's lost their children to a senseless war like the one we're having now, my heart goes out to all the parents who suffer in the traggic loss of their children at Virginia Tech. May somehow you get through this with the help of other people who care and share your grief. May GOD bless each and every one of you!
Ronnie West (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:00:24 PM)
They say time heals all wounds, but most scars stay with us no matter how long we live. There is nothing that we on the outside can say, except Bless you and may the memories of those lost keep you safe and spiritually warm.
Carroll Alston (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:18:35 PM)
My prayers are with you all, our world has changed so much. America has changed so much.Lets all be brothers and sisters to-gether and build a stronger bond between all of us.Lets watch out for each other, and love America for she is truly and amazing county.
DAPHNE WALSH (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:23:01 PM)
Always look to the Lord above for goodness in all things. This was a real tragedy, but with the help of the Lord, we as a nation will all unite together in prayer that we must go forward and learn from this, that we may all grow closer to the Lord and to each other. May God Bless Us All
Steven, Las Vegas, N.M. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:23:40 PM)
As a mother of a college senior in Ohio, I am so very sad for your loss at VT. I can not begin to imagine the hurt and pain that all of you are going thru. I hope that every day begins to get a little easier for all of you. Blessings to all.
RuthAnn Sanborn (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:26:36 PM)
I stepped outside last night to gather my thoughts and I raised my head to look up at the night sky and there were 32 awfully bright stars shining on the world.......
Shelli Martinez Bloomington, MN (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:30:38 PM)
It's a time for reflection, heavy hearts for the VT faculty and students and the burden of shame for our country. May everyone find healing and comfort within the community, and with parents and friends they love and the love and prayers of the country. There will be time for many, many questions, but for now, let us come together and move forward in the spirit of hope for mended hearts and better and brighter days!!
Tarantino, Edison, New Jersey (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:31:20 PM)
I am a mother of two young girls and the shock of the students being slain like that just hurt me so much. I stayed up all night and I am reaching out to the parents of these many different talented kids. I'm so sorry and may God touch your hearts and minds.
Priscilla Herrera, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:44:03 PM)
To all in Virginia Tech, Step into the light of God and let him heal your pain. My family and I pour our hearts and prayers out to you. I can only watch a few of the stories a day until it pains me to much to continue. What bravery for those who acted on instinct to save the lives of others. I am a mother of 4 and could not imagine what anyone is going though; I am also a college student, somebody’s daughter, sister and best friend, and a wife. All of these are people just like me. I am so very sorry for the loss of such precious lives; I can only think that God had a better plan for them and to those that were spared!
Our love to you!
Nikole Buckley, Florence Arizona (Sent Apr 18, 2007 3:44:35 PM)
They say that this killer was showing serious signs of mental problems for quite a while before this tragic incident. Even his English professor tried to have him given help without any success. I have heard this same story with other previous incidents with similar tragic outcomes the perpetrators have often shown warning signs way before the incident. It seems that even with warning signs flashing about as red as they can get, the system seems unable to respond when it should respond, before not after the explosion. If we are going to stop this problem evaluation requirements need to be put in place at every educational institution and if repeated signs of instability are demonstrated by any student in the opinion of faculty members, they should at least be given an evaluation by a qualified practitioner. It can be discreet and if the student is clear in the opinion of the practitioner, then no more needs to be said unless further strange behavior is demonstrated. It should be manadatory that all students are subject to such scrutiny if it is deemed necessary by the faculty and where a future risk may be evident the student/s need to be handed over to the right mental health facility for further observation and possible treatment.
God bless those fallen innocents and their grieving families we all grieve for you, but let's make their deaths meaningful in the sense that changes are made immediately to prevent a recurrence.
Roy Taylor (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:05:37 PM)
I have children in colleges around the country and the thought of loosing any one of them is unimaginable. Even though I do not know what you are going through, my thoughts and prayers are with you everyday. May God bless you all and know that your children and family memebers are safe with Him at this time.
Karen Bingham (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:27:09 PM)
The REAL sadness and tradigy is that IT didn't HAVE to happen. If the Administrators of the college would have taken action and thrown this goofball off campus maybe it wouldn't have happened. Were they being politically correct? Can't throw a Korean off the campus the other Koreans will be upset?? WHYYYY didn't they just throw him off campus when so many reported him to be so violent? That's the question that should be answered. Sure we are all sad about these young energetic kids dying for nothing. Someone at the TOP of this University better take responsibility for haveing so little guts that they just kept him around so the administration wouldn't have to bother with a possible lawsuit from this idiot. Management IS at fault here and shares the blame with the killer.
John D. Stack Sr. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:33:55 PM)
Please take extra time in your day to hug your kids and tell your family members that you love them.Even in this most difficult time where despair and hopelesness are all around us,open your heart and let God start the healing process.All you have to do is ask for Him,He is right there beside us.
Morton Krieg,Dickinson,N.D. (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:39:21 PM)
My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the VA Tech students and families of those lost.
Lisa Marie, Philadelphia,PA (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:48:35 PM)
"all who know this life will know it too briefly...all who leave this life will leave it too soon"
John Baker, Hollywood, CA (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:50:06 PM)
You are all in our thoughts, hearts and prayers durfing this unbelievably painful time.
Mairead (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:50:45 PM)
My heart and thoughts and prayers ar e with you all....i just can't imagine.............just impossible to imagine how you feel....god bless you all and we will keep you in our prayers....stick together and converse....help heal each other......God Speed and God's Love
Kathy Foxboro,MA (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:56:53 PM)
I actually cried when I read about the hero professor who blocked the classroom doorway with his body while telling his students to flee.
A true hero he was, and I'm sure he saved many young lives.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all families involved in this terrible act of violence.
Janet, Wingham, Ontario (Sent Apr 18, 2007 4:58:15 PM)
Prayers coming from Vancouver. We're thinking of the victoms families and friends. May god bless their souls.
Arash (Sent Apr 18, 2007 5:08:37 PM)
Blacksburg to me is, and will always be "God's country". Please keep faith and know that as a community you will heal. My family lived there for many years and there is no better place to live than Blacksburg. God Bless You All
C. Kadereit Bybee (Sent Apr 18, 2007 5:08:52 PM)
To all students at Tech: Please finish your eduction.Tech will always be a Great place and your bond to the school will only grow as you do.Love you all. Don McLean Class of '70, Wasilla,Alaska
Donald McLean,Wasilla,Alaska (Sent Apr 18, 2007 5:16:03 PM)
I am so deeply sad for all the family and friends and the community of these victims..
N.M. Burnsville,Minnesota (Sent Apr 18, 2007 5:19:48 PM)
You know, it is very tragic when something like this happens. Yes, all the warning signs were there. No, noone listened, No, noone saw, No, noone paid enough attention to the signs. I for one, am very outraged!! I personally suffered from "There's nothing we can do about it at this time", when my husband beat me pretty bad back in 2001. The law claimed that the "time frame" had expired. And they couldn't arrest him, even though he was at the door, banging to get in. The same applies here! Where were the administrators when this poor soul needed help? It is very obvious he was screaming very loud... My heart goes out to all the families who lost a loved one in this very tragic event. May your loved ones rest in peace. I also feel very sorry for Cho's family. It is not their fault that he did this...please don't blame them.
Erika Ruiz Southwest Kansas (Sent Apr 18, 2007 5:33:07 PM)
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