Virginia Tech begins the healing process as a community

KRT Wire | 04/17/2007 | Virginia Tech begins the healing process as a community: "Dazed and stricken, the Virginia Tech community struggled Tuesday to come to grips with the murders of 32 friends and colleagues, as details emerged about the loner who unleashed terror on the bucolic campus.

Students fought back tears, walked quietly around the sprawling campus and greeted one another with hugs. Their classes canceled for the week, many packed their things to head for the security of home.

They checked Facebook, the social-networking Web site, where they searched for news of who was safe and who was missing. They entered their names on group lists such as 'I'm OK at VT.'

Emotions were raw among the 10,000 who gathered in the basketball arena for a nationally televised midday memorial service. An overflow crowd packed the football stadium. 'Today, the world shares our sorrow,' said Zenobia Hikes, the vice president of student affairs."