"Orange and Maroon Effect" Day

[vanni9283]

Hi folks,

I learned that Virginia Tech has declared this Friday, April 20, as "Orange and Maroon Effect" Day.  The school has asked everyone across the country to dress in orange and maroon as a way of showing support for the victims of this week's horrific tragedy. 

Although I do not attend VT, I, too, would like to invite and encourage you all to do the same by wearing either maroon and orange clothing, a maroon and orange ribbon, or even simply just a black armband.  By doing so, you are sending a very powerful message to the country and to the world; the message that we stand in solidarity with those at VT and that we will not stand for senseless acts of violence.  So let's stand together and show the Hokies our support!  Thank You.

Sincerely,
Vanni

[Matt]

AMEN!!! 

[Trouble]

I will wear those colors! Vtech logo is on my computer as the desktop

[Meldy]

I'll wear maroon.

[Trouble]

I am wearing Maroon and sent an email to everyone on my list to remind them. 

Oh, my friend was in the same building that the first shootings occured. I don't know if she was in the building at the time but her dorm was above of the the guys who died. She is still at Vtech. Her mom said she is doing okay. It comes in waves. 

There is a beautiful song by Josh Groban called "You are loved (don't give up) that I am playing for Vtech.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ls7ila3srzI

[Siobhan]

I don't have any maroon but I am wearing red in an attempt to participate in this day.

[Matt]

i don't have maroon so i'm wearing royal blue gym shorts (it's gonna be cold today!!!)

[Trouble]

It is the thought that counts!

[Matt]

Yeah!! (so.......how many times has that been said to you? lol)

[Maggie]

I don't have anything orange or maroon (those colors look awful on redheads!)

And I started work at 7am today so haven't had time to buy ribbons.

So....our flag in the front yard is at half-staff, and I am wearing my American Flag pin with a black band around it.

After hearing about the quality of those who were so cruelly murdered, I can only conclude there are now some very special and talented angels in Heaven.

Maybe their new assignment is as guardian angels to other children who need them.
 
May they rest in peace, and may their families find peace and comfort.

[vanni9283]

I am wearing Maroon and sent an email to everyone on my list to remind them. 

Oh, my friend was in the same building that the first shootings occured. I don't know if she was in the building at the time but her dorm was above of the the guys who died. She is still at Vtech. Her mom said she is doing okay. It comes in waves. 

There is a beautiful song by Josh Groban called "You are loved (don't give up) that I am playing for Vtech.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ls7ila3srzI

I think Chloe would sound really good singing this one!

[celticdreamer00]

I don't have anything orange or maroon (those colors look awful on redheads!)

And I started work at 7am today so haven't had time to buy ribbons.

So....our flag in the front yard is at half-staff, and I am wearing my American Flag pin with a black band around it.

After hearing about the quality of those who were so cruelly murdered, I can only conclude there are now some very special and talented angels in Heaven.

Maybe their new assignment is as guardian angels to other children who need them.
 
May they rest in peace, and may their families find peace and comfort.

     Amen

[Maggie]

All the pictures and stories of the victims touched me deeply.

Liviu Librescu who survived the Holocaust as a child, escaped the communists and became a highly respected Professor, then took 5 bullets while defending his students.

Ryan Clark, a popular talented young man who died while defending a young lady, they were the first to die.
Some of the victims were from distant parts of the world, their families struggled to send them to study in the USA.

I must admit there was one picture that touched me more than most......it was this one of a beautiful redhead, Austin Michelle Cloyd aged 18, with the world at her feet and everything to live for:
 

[vanni9283]

It just makes your heart shatter into a million pieces when you see that the precious life of someone that beautiful was taken by a senseless act of violence.  My sincere hope is that she is now at peace and watching over all of us as our guardian angel.

Vanni

[mainopsman]

We too often see our talented young people cut down by the evils  in society.   Take the time to honor their short lives, and and pray for an end to the maddness.   

Remembered Joy
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

JIM