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Monday shootings at the Virginia Tech spread shock waves across the country as thirty-two lives were lost. Vanished in a blink of an eye. Young, much too young to be gone already. Students of all races, ages and gender, shapes and sizes, professors who gave their lives trying to protect them. Making sense out of death is difficult, but this? How do you make sense out of senseless? After the shock, the grief came…The nation is united in grief and it is almost palpable. People are reaching out across states, from one end of the country to the next, united in their loss and sadness. Loved ones, family members, colleagues, classmates, friends have been lost in tragedy that has brought this country to stand still, gasping for air, unable to breathe. The souls lost in this tragedy are remembered in such ways, that a term eulogy has gotten a whole new meaning and in this case the eulogy is endless. Candle vigils are being held across the nation, commemorative services are being organized, all in an attempt to commemorate the lives that were ended too soon. Fellow students are leaving their messages on a memorial site created at the campus of Virginia Tech, while still trying to process the vast magnitude of this tragedy. Churches around the country, from California to the National Cathedral in Washington, held vigils and prayer services. On friday 20th, at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Va, it was a sea of maroon and orange at a memorial held in front of Norris Hall, where most of the victims died. Along with bouquets and candles it was a yellow sign covered in maroon and orange handprints, bearing the words "Never forgotten." The Rev. Joseph Salerno said: "Scripture reminds us today that no one, no one, lives for himself and no one dies for himself, but in both life and death we belong to the Lord. So as people of faith, I want to thank all of the religious leaders of our community who are present here this day, from various religious denominations, various places, not only in our city or county, but from across our state. ..." A young girl who lost her friend took comfort in the gathering, saying, "With this evil, there is still goodness." The spot also held 33 stones; one for each victim and the gunman who took their lives. One of the mourners says "His family is suffering just as much as the other families." Internet has given a whole new outlet for people affected by this tragedy to give tribute to the lives lost and to celebrate them as well. There are messages and prayers from all around the world on Internet forums, blogs, victim's Myspace profiles, families, friends and loved ones, and even strangers, commemorating the human beings gone forever with words as simple as "I love you" to "I will remember your smile". I love you, such simple three words, but also the most beautiful and profound eulogy. All wanting to express the sheer grief, sadness and loss, for the whole world to see, remembering the lives and the spirits that were taken so abruptly. They are gone, but they will live on in the hearts and minds of the people they have touched, their spirits shining into the eternity. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University We remember
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