A Letter to the Daily Press Editor in the Wake of Last Week's Virginia Tech Shooting

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My daughter is a senior at Virginia Tech, and in 2007, she lost a friend and neighbor in the massacre of 32 VT students on that April 16th Monday morning. A week ago, a Virginia Tech police officer was gunned down during a routine traffic stop by a Radford student passing through town. Our local newspaper (with who I have just cancelled my subscription with) wrote an article last Friday that was highly insensitve and misrepresented what the Virginia Tech university stands for. Carly wrote a second lettor to the editor and her private note to the editor is as follows...needless to say, this editor did not respond to her request...I post it here because it shows hope for today's young people and for our society. We will not let the media or anyone else define us and there's a message in her writing...thanks for reading.

Carly’s Blog post and letter to Daily Press editor

I promise myself constantly that I will not dwell on negative energy or things outside of my control. I have debated on whether to respond to The Daily Press after a very immature (best descriptor I can think to use..) writer published an article referring to Virginia Tech as a "snake bitten" campus among other insults in the wake of our recent loss. Ultimately, I did not want to contribute to the frenzy of angry e-mails and hate mail the newspaper received. 

There's not a thing that any of us can do to retract the sting of Tamara Dietrich's words. But after attending the memorial service for Officer Deriek Crouse yesterday with some of my closest friends on campus, I feel compelled to help his family in any way possible. Individually, there's only so much we can each do. Together, we've raised nearly $85,000 for our fallen hero and the beautiful family he left behind. In less than a week, I might add.

So, I decided to direct a message to those "in charge" at The Daily Press that was more constructive rather than destructive. If the media cared half as much about the positive acts of humanity as they do of the tortuous violent crimes that pollute the earth, what do you think our world would look like? I sent the following message to as many people associated with The Daily Press as I could find contact information. I hope that these individuals have the heart to respond. Maybe they can make right their wrongdoing and mend the cuts that their words tore in our mourning hearts.

Letter to the Editor..
To Whom It May Concern at The Daily Press:

I have lived my entire life in Smithfield, VA with my family, and the Daily Press has been a constant in our household for as long as I can remember. Another tradition that has seen me grow into adulthood is that of Virginia Tech and being a "Hokie". I'm sure that you have heard many responses from hurt and offended Hokies following the article published last week regarding Thursday's tragedy. I hope that you will read this e-mail in entirety, as my words are not of anger but of hope and forgiveness.

I truly appreciate the sense of security and knowledge that journalism brings us, and I think it is an integral branch of our society. I know that unfortunately (a drastic understatement) my university will be forever associated with the tragic events of April 16, 2007, and any other act of crime on campus will make instant headlines. It saddens me to the core that so many can recognize these acts of violence and give a sensationalist memorial to the troubled souls who caused such destruction. What I wish I could share with the public involves something much more powerful than anger, hatred, violence, negativity, and despair. Virginia Tech does so much for the community, and the world, and for that I am truly proud. To name a few:

· Largest collegiate Relay for Life in the world. Raised over $1,000,000 for the American Cancer society for the past few years

· Second largest Big Event in the nation. This is a day of free community service to the area surrounding our campus, merely to say "Thank you" (imagine if we had something like that in Newport News or Portsmouth!). Www.vtbigevent.org

· Nationally recognized Panhellenic Greek Council

· Internationally recognized architects on their creation of Lumenhaus (a house that generates energy through solar power)

· A damn good football team and even better fans

· SO many other things that I can't even name off the top of my head

Basically, I want you and your team to understand how the words printed by your establishment deeply hurt the feelings of these people who are doing such wonderful things in the world. Those words, no matter how they were intended to sound, will stick with the hurting hearts of our community. No one deserves a tragedy, and no one deserves the bitter remarks incurred by Tamara Dietrich.

One line that stuck with me from Officer Deriek Crouse's memorial service yesterday went along the lines of: "Our university's motto Ut Prosim, means 'that I may serve.' Deriek truly knew what it meant to serve—to give a part of himself." That is precisely what this university is based upon, and to prove my point far more than words could ever convey, I would like you to look at the memorial fund site that was created BY STUDENTS in the hours after Crouse's murder. We have raised almost $100,000 in less than a week for his family, a beautiful wife and five sons, whom I saw hurting and grieving so very much yesterday at the service. Here is the link: https://sites.google.com/site/hokiesforcrouse/

The reason I am writing is because I, as well as the rest of Hokie Nation, would greatly appreciate if you would cover this topic in your writing. Please help us spread the word to areas besides Blacksburg, VA to help with a wonderful cause. I personally believe it fit for the Daily Press to make a donation to our efforts to amend the comments degrading our "snake-bitten" campus. We all make mistakes, misjudge how our words affect others, and ultimately hurt peoples' feelings. To rescind the article is one thing, a politically correct gesture. To apologize and make the situation right is ultimately divine.

Thank you for your time. I hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Carly Edwards
Virginia Tech Class of 2012
Marketing Management Major
Leadership and Social Change Minor

P.S. Tomorrow, a blog post that I wrote on Thursday will be featured on the Suffolk News Herald website. The post depicts my emotions as a Tech student who was very personally shaken by the events in 2007, and my perspective on the recent occurrences. If you would like to read my post, here is the link: http://carlykedwards.blogspot.com/2011/12/love-of-family_08.html I am a firm believer in the art of writing and the power we gain by further understanding other people.

That is all that I can think to say on this matter. I hope that this helps put things into perspective for all of us. The past week has been integral in confirming many beliefs I hold on the world and the people in it. I wish only for us all to come together and help each other. Overcome the violence with hearts filled with hope, love, and resilience

charmed and cheerful: to the editor of the Daily Press.

In response to the Daily Press's horrible article that they wrote the day after Officer Crouse was murdered in a parking lot at Virginia Tech, my daughter has requested the paper retract and apologize...and they never did....
charmed and cheerful: to the editor..: I promise myself constantly that I will not dwell on negative energy or things outside of my control. I have debated on whether to respo...

Virginia Tech- How Tech Students Felt last Thursday in the midst of the Tragic Shooting

I've decided to post my daughter's blog post from last Thursday, after the tragic shooting of a Virginia Tech police officer which took place around 12:30 pm during a routine traffic stop. (the shooter was not related to the school and was subsequently found moments later, dead. He shot himself in a nearby parking lot).

Thursday, December 8, 2011 by Carly Edwards

the love of a family

I have struggled all day with how to articulate how I feel in light of the events that occurred on the Virginia Tech campus early this afternoon. I have spent the day with my roommate and close friends; offering support to each other at such an unsure time.

I recognize that terrible things happen in the world, and we will never be able to escape them. It is especially painful for our university to be the victim of such senseless violence after the devastation in 2007. I am saddened by the fact that so many are quick to judge the circumstances because of the past. I am disappointed that people make assumptions without grounds to base their judgement. These rash conclusions deepen the hurt in our hearts from years ago. When it comes down to it, there is violence everywhere. But there is also love. At the end of today, a brave man lost his life, and that should be the thing on everyone's minds.

A VTPD Officer lost his life today while on the job. This is the community that he represented, and to say anything less of it is not only disrespectful but also ignorant. No one ever deserves hate or violence or strife. We are not a campus of violence. We are NOT a community of criminals.

We are 27,000 members of one of the most tight-knit families in the nation. My heart breaks from the events of today, and my prayers go to the officer's family. Senseless acts happen in the world, but to overcome them we must stand together. This university has made me the person I am today, and I will defend it the rest of my life. I stand here firm in my belief that being a Hokie is the greatest privilege in the world.

I am so grateful for the security system we now have in place here. I am glad that I felt informed throughout the day. I am eternally thankful for the brave men and women who give their time and their lives to protect us. The police force on campus and in the surrounding area was truly a blessing, and it warms my heart to see people coming together out of love and support. To me, that is the Hokie community. That is Virginia Tech. Terrible events can happen anywhere. Never before have I seen such dedication to protecting and defending a community. Some people will continue to pass callous judgement about the school and question my own decision to reside in Blacksburg. Some will try to deter others from attending or visiting the university. I am so sad for these individuals because they will not ever know the love, support, pride, duty, community, and brotherhood that this school truly represents and instills in its members.

Let us not forget those affected by the tragedy of 2007. I send my deepest sympathies. I cannot imagine how these news reports and phone calls and comments make you feel. I think of you always and carry you in my heart

In remembrance of the Hokies lost, both today and in the years past; we continue in your honor.

"find a healing for the pain. see the sun beyond the rain. we've got the strength to endure until we feel more secure. in a world full of hate, we've got to become something great. oh, god send your mercy this way. we're all hokies today." we're all hokies today by season

"Keep your heads up: we'll take care of you." -Responding SWAT team officers as they reassured students at Virginia Tech that they are in good hands... As we thank those who risk their lives for our safety, we also pray for the victims and their families through there time of need. God bless our law enforcement as we will prevail: We are Virginia Tech.

(The quote above was posted on my son's and daughter's Facebook page today. My daughter, Carly, is a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in Marketing Management with a minor in Leadership & Social Change. My son, Tyler, is a freshman at Tech majoring in Building Construction.)