Passing it on...

Got this email from a friend I used to work with at Yankee Candle. He has a cousin who's at Virginia Tech, and sent this email along, requesting to get it out and about. Just thought I'd share...


Dear Concerned Individuals,

I want to first thank those around the country and world for their support
through these troubling times. I am a student at Virginia Tech and like all of
my fellow colleagues I am in a complete state of shock for what has happened
here today. Although news stations have given a great deal of attention and
provided detailed coverage of the situation right now in Blacksburg, VA, not
many know quite what we, the Hokie Family and our families are experiencing
right now.

I, in the conclusion of my fourth year, have never feared my safety while
attending this school. I feel that at this point many journalists are fishing
for stories of negligence on behalf of the VT, Blacksburg, Montgomery County,
State and other police departments involved in the events that unfolded here
today. I want to assure those concerned that the effort and organization
displayed here today was beyond exceptional by all branches of law enforcement
involved. There are also those looking to blame both the President of Virginia
Tech and the VT Police Chief for their actions taken today. As a student at
Virginia Tech and a witness to the occurrences of today, I believe quite the
contrary is true. Under the impression that the crime committed at seven
o'clock this morning was a single crime of passion, the authorities acted
appropriately. Upon receiving word of a second crime scene the authorities at
Virginia Tech quickly alerted the public through varying avenues, to include a
PA emergency system that is quite unique to VA Tech and only a handful of other
schools.

I want everyone to know that this is a peaceful school. Aside from today, there
has not been an instance in which I have felt unsafe in this community (even in
the midst of a manhunt back in August). I want to remind people that one
unstable individual does not define a community. We are the Hokies, a loyal,
peaceful family that is unwilling to let the acts of one break apart our
family. The inquisitions being held by the press of this school, the students,
staff, and dedicated police officials of this community should not be
tolerated. In hard times, it is natural for us to search for closure by
criticizing those they believe are to blame. I reassure you that we need not
look for blame in anyone but those that perpetrated the inhumane acts. Even
through the mourning I can say that today, like any other day, I am proud to be
a part of this Hokie Family.

Let me repeat my thanks and appreciation of those concerned. My thoughts and
prayers go out to those of my friends and peers that are suffering right now.

Drew Lewis and fellow concerned Hokies