Still waiting for our victory
Observer Viewpoint
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Viewpoint
Anyone old enough to speak coherently at the time still remembers the moment, over forty years ago, when they heard about JFK's assassination. Our grandparents can tell us how they listened to the radio accounts of Pearl Harbor on a December day, more than six decades gone. Every single one of us here at Notre Dame can recall where we were on the day of Sept. 11, 2001 - what we were doing, how the horribly tragic events of that morning unfolded for us and our personal feelings on the matter. Any time someone shares a personal story of That Day, I'm always amazed at the details people recall.
I remember listening to Paul Harvey's show on my AM radio while driving to school when he announced the first plane crash. I remember talking about it with my friend before the start of first-hour Biology, and I remember the girl who came in and told us the other tower had been hit. I remember conversations I had that day, things different teachers said and talking with my grandparents in the evening. That was my experience, half a country away, without a personal connection to anyone involved. The mass media of the past century gave rise to a new, shared cultural experience, a common reference point that breaches distance and background: the generation-defining event.
When we hear 9/11 described this way, it is absolutely on-target.
This week, we have another national tragedy. News of the massacre at Virginia Tech on Monday spread like wildfire throughout both national and international outlets, even reaching most of us studying abroad in Europe within the hour. We learned of the catastrophe over television stations, through quickly formed Facebook groups, on Internet news sites and during instant messaging conversations. Solid facts came slowly, but no report could sanitize away the fear, confusion, anger, torrential grief and host of other emotions that assault us all in such times.
This is the great curse of our generation's hyper-awareness and the awesome power of modern media. We cannot escape the sentiments swirling around the tragedies, and they cannot remain anonymous or distant to us. It is hard to ignore the images of grown men and women crying as dead college students are carried away, the surreal sounds of gunshots being fired on a peaceful college campus or the first-hand accounts of courage and action during the Virginia shootings. I hesitate to compare this with 9/11; the numbers, circumstances, impact, source, scope and means are worlds apart. Yet both incidents serve to painfully remind us that these events always seem to be associated with sorrow, tragedy and death.
The events of Monday, though still fresh in my mind, will probably not stick with me as do those of 9/11. Sadly, the thousands of students and faculty and staff connected with the university, the thousands of parents worrying at home and the thousands of residents in the surrounding community don't have that luxury of separation. For them, this will become a "where were you when..." event. Monday will haunt their minds and stay with them for the duration of their lives. Healing can take place, and God willing, can come soon, but memories of all the little details from Monday will stick. Meanwhile, the rest of us are stuck asking ourselves: How many more of these "defining" events can we plan on seeing in the coming years and decades? And when can we expect one judged not by the body count or human toll, but by the rewards and human joy brought about?
Some may say any event that becomes constantly discussed, like 9/11, does not develop its crystalline clarity in the moments of its occurrence, but rather slowly cements itself during the constant regurgitation of facts and satellite details in the months and years following. Even if this were the case, we are still left empty-handed trying to think of a ubiquitous positive event. I firmly believe that such events, incredibly wonderful instead of shockingly horrific, are entirely possible. Unfortun-ately, we are still waiting to see what such an event would look like.
The consistently negative nature of these events can be explained to some degree. "Good events," for one, rarely culminate in one triumphant moment. Tragedy, on the other hand, catches us unaware. In the shock, the horrific facts come slowly and there are a thousand unknowns. With triumphant accomplishments, the event is often merely symbolic and known well in advance. The closest models I can call to mind are the fall of the Berlin Wall - which I and most of my classmates were too young to remember - and the moon landing, decades before we were born.
Our generation, already exposed to so much death and murder and war and evil, still waits for its anti-9/11. We have yet to gather around our televisions and computers to share joy instead of sorrow, fulfillment instead of shock, pleasure instead of anger. We are the waiting. But for the moment, in respect for the Virginia Tech community, let us remember that we are also among the mourning.
James Dechant is a junior studying abroad in Rome this semester. Questions, complaints and rude remarks can be sent to jdechant@nd.edu
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/19/Viewpoint/Still.Waiting.For.Our.Victory-2852060-page2.shtml</a>
James Dechant
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Mass for Virginia Tech provides consolation, hope
Students, community members fill Basilica
John Tierney
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: News
Only a week after Easter, the Notre Dame community once again "finds [itself] at the foot of the Cross," said Father Pete McCormick during his homily at a memorial Mass for the Virginia Tech community Tuesday night at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
"We always have the Cross in our life, but we do not grieve without hope," said McCormick, the assistant rector of Dillon Hall, who was just ordained on Saturday.
The Mass, presided over by Vice President for Student Affairs Father Mark Poorman, was organized Monday after news of the 33-person massacre at Virginia Tech broke. Students were informed of the Mass by an urgent IrishLink email from Poorman late Monday.
The Basilica was packed to a standing room only capacity, with the entire rear lobby of the church completely full. The Mass drew more people than last fall's 9/11 five-year anniversary Mass.
The congregation was made up largely of students, although many members of the outside community were also present. Some students came straight from the library, carrying their backpacks, while many dressed nicely for the service. Following the Mass, many students visited the Grotto to pray and reflect on the massacre.
In his homily, McCormick emphasized the powerful emotions many Americans have felt in the past few days in response to the tragedy at Virginia Tech.
"We have been overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions. [...] We are shocked, we are fearful, and we are angered," he said.
McCormick also underlined the similarities between the Notre Dame and Virginia Tech communities.
"We've heard the stories of students, staff and professors who died, and we realized that their goals and ambitions are not that different from our own," he said.
Because of these similarities, McCormick said he believes the Notre Dame and Virginia Tech communities are "of one thought and mind." Like those at Virginia Tech's candlelight vigil Tuesday night, the members of the Notre Dame community worshiping at the Basilica and praying at the Grotto "gathered to pray for the lost souls and for peace in their hearts, and in our own," he said.
The Mass was meant to represent the concern for the spiritual unity of all humankind.
"When one part of the human community suffers, we all suffer," McCormick said.
McCormick said he believes members of the Notre Dame community can take strength in the Holy Spirit after Monday's tragedy, which was the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.
"The Holy Spirit allows us to move from a state of fear to faith," McCormick said. "We may be fearful, but it is faith, not fear, that transforms and heals our wounds."
While Monday's events were undoubtedly tragic, McCormick stressed the ability to overcome disaster and increase spiritual strength.
"It is only for us now to find how even the Cross can be borne as a gift," he said to close his homily.
The message of the Mass was not one of depression, but a more hopeful state of solidarity with fellow humans.
"We must be a community with hope to bring. There is no failure that the Lord cannot reverse," McCormick said.
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Original Source:
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116.shtml</a>
<a href="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116-page2.shtml">http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/04/18/News/Mass-For.Virginia.Tech.Provides.Consolation.Hope-2849116-page2.shtml</a>
John Tierney
2008-02-25
Kacey Beddoes
Christopher Hine <chine@nd.edu>
eng
Sept. 11 Bear
One of the items on display at the Alumni Center Art Exhibit. On 4/16/08, as part of the Day of Remembrance observance, the Holtzman Alumni Center Museum displayed examples of art, crafts, quilts, and other memorabilia contributed since April 16, 2007. This is one of over 60,000 items that will eventually go to Special Collections at Newman Library.
A teddy bear from the Voices of September 11th sent to President Steger with a letter that said:
"On behalf of the staff and members of Voices of September 11th, I wish to offer my deepest and heartfelt condolences for the tragedy which the Virginia Tech community has suffered. Like September 11, 2001, your loss is one of national proportions, devastating your individual families and community, but also weighing on the hearts of those who you may never meet.
After the death of my 24-year-old son in the attacks on the World Trade Center, my family received an outpouring of support from around the world. Of the most poignant and memorable was a small teddy bear carrying a message of hope. Such a tangible symbol of caring and support helped us to stay strong in those trying days and weeks.
From one community affected by a senseless act of violence to another, I offer you these teddy bears not only as a gesture of goodwill, but as a promise of support. Our doors both literally and figuratively are open to you. I hope that as your collective journey of healing begins, the lessons we have learned workig with the 9/11 families and others traumatized by terrorism may serve...to you in the months and years to come. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely yours,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
Voices of September 11th"
Kacey Beddoes
2008-05-09
Kacey Beddoes
Kacey Beddoes (kbeddoes@vt.edu)
eng
Sports for the soul
Issue Date:Friday April 20, 2007
Section: Sports Section
Patrick Southern, Sports Writer
Sometimes it takes a life-changing event to shake you to your very core and remind you what really matters.
For the countless people who are suffering in ways that defy comprehension following the stunning events at Virginia Tech, that lesson came in the toughest form possible.
While I'm fortunate that I don't have to mourn the loss of any personal friends or family, I sincerely feel the pain of those who do.
As DA Sports Editor Tim Tassa eloquently said in his Tuesday column, such tragedies "make sports seem so petty, so irrelevant."
It's cliche to say so, but it's true. I know that by noon on Monday, I cared a lot less about how my Boston Red Sox would fare in their Patriots Day game against the Angels than I had when I woke up.
In the wake of the campus shooting, the Hokies called off the remainder of their spring football drills and canceled all sporting events scheduled for the following days.
These moves were in the best interest of all involved. At that point, no one needed the distraction of competition when the hearts and minds of all of those at VT were elsewhere.
After all, athletes and coaches deserve the chance to grieve too.
However, the moratorium on athletics at Virginia Tech ends today, when the school's baseball squad hosts Miami.
To most, this event will mean little in light of the heartache the community has suffered. After all, college baseball games go on every day nationwide at this time of year.
But in this case, the ping of the aluminum bat and the unmistakable snap of a solid fastball against a catcher's mitt will be the first sound of life beginning to return to normal in Blacksburg.
While it's true that tragedy makes us realize how meaningless the wins and losses of our teams really are, it's every bit as true that athletics are a significant part of our lives.
Sporting events are more than just a good excuse for people to get together and drink a few beers while debating the merits of blitzing off the edge on third and long.
No, in times like this, we're reminded that sports are so important to us because they're a sure sign of normal life in abnormal times.
It's that importance that made renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" take on such added meaning at baseball games following the attacks of 9/11.
And it's the sense of unity and togetherness that sports foster that led the thousands of mourners at Virginia Tech's memorial convocation Tuesday to ditch button-down shirts and dress slacks in favor of their favorite maroon and orange Hokie T-shirt.
When those in attendance at that same service struggled to express themselves beyond their tears, they went back to the same cheers that echo through Lane Stadium on any given Saturday in the fall.
The mourners' chants of "Let's go, Hokies" reverberated through Cassell Coliseum, punctuated with the rhythmic clapping and repetition that is typically better suited to sporting events than soul-searching.
But in that moment, for those who gathered to find a sense of community when pain seemed poised to take over their lives, those three simple words took on all the meaning of a chorus of "Amazing Grace."
Instead of rallying their athletic heroes to another victory, the Virginia Tech faithful were chanting to rally their own flagging spirits.
It's easy for us to make sports trivial in the wake of traumatic events, because tragedy always makes us step back and evaluate our priorities in life.
But for the thousands of VT students who are longing for some sense of "normal," today's first pitch is the first small step back toward simpler times in Blacksburg.
Let's go, Hokies.
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Original Source: The Daily Athenaeum
<a href="http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27626">http://www.da.wvu.edu/show_article.php?&story_id=27626</a>
Patrick Southern
2008-02-18
Kacey Beddoes
Leann Ray <Leann.Ray@mail.wvu.edu>
eng
Yankees Game Provides Entertainment and Healing
By Ryan Call
Sports Writer
March 18, 2008
The World Series is widely believed to be the highest stage for any level of baseball player and one would think that the most successful baseball franchise in the world would think no differently.
However, despite the 26 World Series titles the Yankee organization has won and the numerous All-Star players with celebrity status that fill their roster, the men in pin stripes think in much grander terms.
"Arguably this is the most important game I've played in my Yankee career," All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez said. " It makes you realize the important things about life and really how fragile it can be. We're all very proud to be here."
Rodriguez also put into perspective the importance of the day.
"It would have been easy just to send the checks and wish the school well but I think it was important for us to be here and be present and go that extra mile. To come here to Virginia Tech and unite with them for one day is very important. Baseball can be very therapeutic," Rodriguez said.
The Yankees team captain Derek Jeter drew similarities between April 16th and America's other recent great tragedy.
"This reminds me a little bit of September 11th," Jeter said. " We had an opportunity to visit a lot of families and people always asked 'well what can you do, how does this help?' I really don't know. It just makes people smile for the three hours while we're here."
Before the game the Yankees visited the memorial for the victims of the April 16th tragedy. Manager Joe Girardi said that it was very moving and brought tears to his eyes.
"I'm sure there were a ton of emotions as players walked around the monuments. It's a real reminder of how precious life is and to me it should have moved our players—and that's a good thing," Girardi said.
The game itself lacked many very exciting moments but the crowd was enthusiastic nonetheless. At times the crowd seemed torn between wanting to see a Rodriguez grand slam (he had two chances to do so and failed) or see one of their fellow Hokies strike out a big name Yankee.
To the delight of a few thousand fans, many stars worked the fence during the pre-game, signing as many autographs as possible. This kind of interaction with the larger-than-life superstars made the day for several Tech students.
"As a Yankee fan my entire life, it really shows what a class organization they are. It shows that superstars out there care about stuff that happens like this and will take the time out of their day to come out here and play for us," sophomore Christine Onidi said.
"It means the world to us, I couldn't have more respect for them. It's fantastic and shows these sporting teams actually care," junior Robbie Zayas said. "I'm still soaking this all in and I was lucky enough to get a couple of players' autographs."
Most of the Yankee stars only played three innings and then enjoyed the rest of the game and atmosphere sitting outside the dugout. Toward the end of the game, many of the players went back into the crowd to sign autographs.
The final score was 11-0 as the Hokies could only manage two hits off the major league pitching. There were no homeruns in the game.
President Randy Levine and Executive Vice President Hal Steinbrenner said the process in aiding Virginia Tech took a matter of minutes after they received a phone call from "The Boss", Yankee's owner George Steinbrenner.
The elder Steinbrenner told Levine and his son to get in touch with the people at Virginia Tech because they wanted to donate a million dollars and play a spring training game in Blacksburg next season if it could be worked out.
"The tragedy was of such giant proportion. It doesn't matter if there's any connection between the Yankees and Virginia Tech prior to the event. We all had to rally around them," Levine said.
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Original Source:<a href="http://www.planetblacksburg.com/2008/03/yankees_game_provides_entertainment_and_healing.php">http://www.planetblacksburg.com/2008/03/yankees_game_provides_entertainment_and_healing.php</a>
Ryan Call
2008-03-30
Kacey Beddoes
Neal Turnage <nturnage@vt.edu>
eng