It is Tuesday, so Stinky is anxiously waiting by the teleportation tunnel for Periwinkle’s arrival. He is unsure about the plan for their adventure and whether or not Periwinkle will enjoy it. He doesn’t have long to brood about it, as the teleportation tunnel starts to vibrate, and Periwinkle pops out with the usual whoosh. Stinky catches her in his paws and they share some whisker kisses.
After several minutes of catching up on the week’s events, Stinky leads Periwinkle back into the teleportation tunnel.
Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, Virginia
Their trip is an especially quick one. They are only traveling about 40 miles from Stinky’s house to Blacksburg, Virginia, and the campus of Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Of, course, Periwinkle has no idea where they are but is impressed by all the big buildings.
Stinky leads her to a huge grassy area, which he says is called the Drill Field. They stand in front of 32 stones, each carved with the name of a person. Confused, Periwinkle asks Stinky what the stones are for.
Stinky, explains, “This is the anniversary of the death of 32 individuals here on campus on April 16, 2007. Most were students and five were members of the Tech faculty. They ranged in age from 18 to 76. These markers are for each of those individuals.”
“Oh Stinky, that is absolutely heartbreaking,” replies Periwinkle as she wipes a tear from her fur. “How did they die?”
“A lone gunman, using two semi-automatic pistols, murdered them. Seventeen others were wounded, and six people were injured jumping out of windows to escape the gunman. I will not share his name. I don’t think individuals who commit these senseless crimes should be remembered.”
Periwinkle nods her head in agreement.
“He actually was a 23-year-old Senior here and lived on campus,” Stinky tells her.
“Stinky, I think it is terrible that people can be so mean and hurt and kill others like this,” replies Periwinkle.
“Two students were killed in one of the dormitories and the 30 others in Norris Hall where the shooter chained closed the main entrance doors. The individuals were killed in four classrooms and the stairwell. The assailant shot himself in the head as police were entering the building. His death is number 33, but he is not remembered here in any way,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.
“Well, that’s exactly how it should be,” replies Periwinkle.
Stinky tells Periwinkle, “This was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. For nine years it remained so, until the Orlando, Florida, nightclub shooting. It remains the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history and the deadliest mass shooting in Virginia history.”
“That isn’t a very good distinction to have, is it, Stinky?”
“No, Periwinkle, it surely is not. But I think we should all pray that any future events of this kind, and I know there will be some, will not be worse.”
“I know lots more school shootings have occurred in the past 17 years, and the thought that this kind of violence continues makes me very sad,” Periwinkle says.
The Memorial
Dedication of the permanent memorial took place in a ceremony on August 19, 2007, four months and three days after the massacre. Thirty-two pieces of Hokie Stone*, each labeled with the name of a victim, were set in a semicircle in front of the Drill Field viewing stand. (See first photo.) The memorial plaque is behind the hedge row.
The Victims
Jamie Bishop (35) German Instructor (Georgia)
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak (49) French Professor (Canada)
Kevin Granata (45) Professor of Engineering (Ohio)
Liviu Librescu (76) Professor of Engineering (Romania)
G. V. Loganathan (53) Professor of Engineering (India)
Ross Alameddine (20) Sophomore (Massachusetts)
Brian Bluhm (25) Masters student (Kentucky)
Ryan Clark (22) Senior (Georgia)
Austin Cloyd (18) Freshman (Illinois)
Daniel Perez Cueva (21) Junior (Virginia/Peru)
Matthew Gwaltney (24) Masters student (Virginia)
Caitlin Hammaren (19) Sophomore (New York)
Jeremy Herbstritt (27) Masters student (Pennsylvania)
Rachael Hill (18) Freshman (Virginia)
Emily Hilscher (19) Freshman (Virginia)
Jarrett Lane (22) Senior (Virginia)
Matthew La Porte (20) Sophomore (New Jersey)
Henry J. Lee (20) Freshman (Virginia/Vietnam)
Partahi Lumbantoruan (34) PhD student (Indonesia)
Lauren McCain (20) Freshman (Virginia)
Daniel O’Neil (22) Masters student (Rhode island)
Juan Ramon Ortiz (26) Masters student (Puerto Rico)
Minal Panchal (26) Masters student (India)
Erin Peterson (18) Freshman (Virginia)
Michael Pohle Jr. (23) Senior (New Jersey)
Julia Pryde (23) Masters student (New Jersey)
Mary Read (19) Freshman (Virginia)
Reema Samaha (18) Freshman (Virginia)
Waleed Shaalan (32) PhD student (Egypt)
Leslie Sherman (20) Junior (Virginia)
Maxine Turner (22) Senior (Virginia)
Nicole White (20) Junior (Virginia)
To read the sign, you need to enlarge the above photo.
*Hokie Stone is a grey dolomite/limestone rock found near Blacksburg. Its name comes from the traditional nickname attributed to students and alumni of Virginia Tech. The stone is quarried by Virginia Tech for campus projects and is displayed on the majority of buildings throughout the campus.
Remembering
“Stinky, do you think we could just sit here quietly for a little while to remember these individuals?” asks Periwinkle.
Stinky replies, “Of course!”
After sitting silently and reflecting, the tabbies walk around the semicircle of stones reading each of the names.
Stinky Cannot Help Himself
“Periwinkle, do you see that huge tree with the squirrel’s nest?” asks Stinky.
“Periwinkle replies warily, “Yes, why?”
“I know this is a solemn occasion, but that is a magnificent climbing tree, and I really would like to get a better look at that nest.”
“Stinky, are you actually asking if it is okay with me for you to climb the tree?”
“Well, sort of, I guess,” Stinky says sheepishly.
With an exasperated look on her face, Periwinkle nods her reluctant approval. Before she can change her mind, Stinky scampers up the tree. Periwinkle is relieved that he does not try to go to the very top.
“Okay, Stinky, time to get down. Your mom told me you have been having seizures on Tuesdays after our adventures. If you fall out of that tree on your head, I am going to be in big trouble and so are you.”
Stinky climbs down very slowly, and the tabbies head to the teleportation tunnel for the trip back to Srinky’s house.
Back at Stinky’s House
When they arrive at Stinky’s, the tabbies tell the other Kitties Blue about their adventure. They also talk to Stinky’s mom and dad about the event. Dad Tom and Mom Janet cannot explain why human beings commit such heinous acts when Stinky and Periwinkle ask. Disappointed at not being able to understand, they decide to take some time to think about what they learned and saw today. Then they ask to have snacks on the catio. All the Kitties Blue and Periwinkle enjoy their noms. With everyone’s mouths full, it becomes very quiet.
Finally the time arrives for Periwinkle to return home. The tabbies spend several minutes paw hugging and whisker kissing. Finally, with a wave and blown kiss, Periwinkle enters the tunnel. With a whoosh she is hurtling home. Stinky retires to the catio for a nap and dreams of Periwinkle.
Links to Additional Information
Stinky and Periwinkle could have provided much more information, but instead included these links to sites you might find interesting and informative. Many others exist. If you would like to watch some of the events taking place at Virginia Tech today, click on the third link.
https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/april16handmade/17thanniversary
https://www.weremember.vt.edu/burruss_webcam.html
https://abcnews.go.com/US/room-211-massacre-virginia-tech-remembered-10-years/story?id=46701034
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/list-of-virginia-tech-shooting-victims-19-04-2007/
Sparks is the creation of Annie from McGuffy’s Reader. It began as a blog hop, created by our friend. Annie stated when she began Sparks, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world.”
Kizmet will be looking for your selfie on the hop as will I and the remainder of the Kitties Blue. If you cannot come by today, that’s A-OK. The hop remains open through Thursday. If you would like to encourage some of your friends, who may not know about our hop, to join us, that would be terrific!
Finally a day Sawyer and I have been waiting for has arrived…the publication of the anthology, Purrseverance: Inspiring Stories of Cat Resilience and Hope, compiled by Sierra Koester from
