¤TU¤ - ~Dedicate~

SOURCE: NEWS WORLD

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:52:02 -0700

Virginia Tech to grant victims their degrees

BLACKSBURG -- Maxine Turner will get her Virginia Tech degree next month.

If only in spirit.

Her graduating class will be all those students who died around her on Monday.

All except their killer, Cho Seung-Hui.

School officials here yesterday announced that all the bright, young students who were gunned down will, in death, get the academic honours they dreamed of in life.

While a number of students are still in area hospitals, the death toll remains at 33, including professors and Cho, who took his own life.

Holding up a picture of her sorority sister, Maxine's friend, Jessica Palazzola, stood near a fountain on the campus yesterday, and reflected on the sliver of light in a dark week.

"I think it's very appropriate," she said of the posthumous chemical engineering degree that will go to Maxine.

"She worked so hard. She was so dedicated."

Just before school officials made the announcement, they released the names of another 14 of the dead. The first nine names were officially released the day before.

DEFIANT REBUTTALS

Maxine's name has yet to be posted on that sad roster. Though almost all the names of the dead -- starting soon after Cho's rampage -- began to appear on blogs, instant messages and in the media.

The legacy of each of the students, and their teachers who lived for them and died with them, seem to be defiant rebuttals to the dreadful life Cho created for himself.

Maxine helped friend Jessica form their Alpha Omega Epsilon sorority in 2005. It is a strong sisterhood.

She was waiting to graduate with her bachelor's degree next month -- after gaining a scholarship -- and had already landed a spot with an established manufacturing company.

A day after Cho's multimedia last stand surfaced on Wednesday -- when the shock of the images wore off -- this campus once again has largely turned back to remembering their dead, consoling the wounded and taking the first steps to learning whether they could have stopped a clearly disturbed Cho before his rampage.

Classes will begin again on Monday. Students are being given options in terms of exams.

BACK TO LEARNING

But educators here hope most will come back to get what they first came for.

To get back to study. To get back to learning. To -- after a long time -- correct what Cho tried to teach the world.

This school will again produce leaders and creators, though healing is a curious and elusive word.

There will be graduating classes to come, and reasons to celebrate.

But only after they've properly added degrees to the legacy of Maxine and the others who died trying to better life.

THE VICTIMS OF THE VIRGINIA TECH SHOOTING

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:01:11 -0700

Gunman Kills 32 at Virginia Tech In Deadliest Shooting in U.S. History
Mary Karen Read, 19, was from Annandale, Va.
Partahi Lumbantoruan, 34, of Indonesia, civil engineering doctoral student.
Christopher J. Bishop, 35, was a German instructor teaching in a classroom in Norris Hall
Emily Jane Hilscher, 19, was a freshman majoring in animal and poultry sciences.
Austin Cloyd, an international studies major from Blacksburg, Va.
Michael Pohle Jr., 23, of Flemington, N.J., was a graduate of Hunterdon Central High School.
Lauren McCain, 20, of Hampton, Va., was an international studies major.
Liviu Librescu, 76, was an engineering science and mathematics lecturer. He was a Holocaust survivor; Monday was Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Kevin Granata, 45, was a professor of engineering science and mechanics.
G.V. Loganathan, 51, was a professor of civil and environmental engineering.
Caitlin Hammaren,19, was a sophomore majoring in international studies and French.
Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20, was a sophomore English major from Saugus, Mass.
Reema Samaha, 18, was a freshman from a close-knit Centreville, Va., family of Lebanese descent.
Daniel O'Neil, 22, was a graduate student from Lincoln, R.I.
Waleed Mohammed Shaalan, 32, of Zagazig, Egypt, doctoral student in civil engineering.
Minal Hiralal Panchal, 26, of Mumbai, India, graduate student in architecture.
Matthew La Porte, 20, was a freshman majoring in university studies.
Jarrett Lane, 22, was valedictorian of his high school class in Narrows, Va.
Julie Pryde,23, was a graduate student from Middletown, N.J.
Daniel Perez Cueva, 21, was majoring in international relations.
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, a French instructor at Virginia Tech.
Jeremy Herbstritt,27, was a graduate student in civil engineering.
Juan Ortiz, 26, a graduate student studying civil engineering, was originally from Puerto Rico.
Leslie Sherman, a sophomore majoring in history and international relations.
Maxine Turner, a senior majoring in chemical engineering. She was from Vienna, Va.
Erin Nichole Peterson, a freshman majoring in international studies.
Nicole Regina White, 20, was a junior majoring in international studies.
Henry Lee, 20, was a freshman majoring in computer engineering.
Brian Bluhm, a graduate student, was working toward a master's degree in water resources
Rachel Elizabeth Hill, 18, a freshman, graduated from Grove Avenue Christian School in Henrico County, Va.
Matthew Gwaltney, 24, of Chester, Va., was a graduate student in civil and environmental engineering.
Ryan Clark, 22, was a senior with a triple major in biology, English and psychology.
THE32 VICTIMS POSTED HERE LOST THEIR LIVES TO A GUNMAN,23YEAR OLD, ENGLISH MAJOR, CHO SEUNG-HUI. WHO WAS SAID TO BE A LONER AND MENTALLY UNSTABLE. HE DECIDED SUICIDE WAS THE BETTER OPTION ON WINNING THE BATTLE OF WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS,"HIM AGAINST THE WORLD". BUT, WHERE HE FAILED WAS TAKING 32 LIVES, THAT WERE SHORT LIVED, WITH HIM.

MAJESTIC MILO

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:00:40 -0700

Milo was laid to rest on Monday, February 12th, 2007 at 5:54pm at the Sweet Home Veterinary Clinic, due to a progressive kidney disease that went undetected for years.

Milo was a strong catthat was6 1/2 years old and lived with failing kidneys for the last 4 years of his life. He was there with us through most of our BIG life changes. When our first two dogs, Sadie and Jenny died, when we brought Skylar home for the first time from the hospital, as well as the big move from Arkansas to Oregon and the loss of Beau.

People who hated cats ended up loving Milo because of his great personality. He was a cat with ambition and at times I wondered if he really understoodhuman ways. Hewas there for me whenI was feeling down and loved on me when I needed it the most. He was my buddy and mybest friend till the end. As I held him in the clinic for his final breath, I told him that I loved him and that I will see him again. He died with dignity just the wayadignified cat like the Majestic Milo would have.

Milo was a great addition to our family in October of 2000 and a great loss to our family this year. He will be missed so much from everyone included Meia. He was a smart cat as well as a beautiful cat. The loss of Milo has put a big hole in our life but we are glad he isn't suffering any longer. He made Jeff and I cat people and we are glad we could have the time with Milo that we did.

We love you Mr. Milo Filo!

TRIBUTE TO GERALD R. FORD

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:10:00 -0700

Gerald Ford, 38th President, Dies at 93

Former President Gerald R. Ford,who gently led the United States out of the tumultuous Watergate era but who lost his own bid for election after pardoning PresidentRichard Nixon,died at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, December 26th, 2006, at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

He was 93, making him the oldest former president, surpassingRonald Reaganwho died in 2004, by just over a month.

His death was announced late Tuesday night in a statement issued by his wife, Betty Ford, which gave no details. Further family announcements today gave no cause of death, but he had been in and out of the hospital since January 2006, most recently in October at the Eisenhower Medical Center for medical tests. He returned to his home in Rancho Mirage after five days of hospitalization.-New York Times

TRIBUTE TO JAMES BROWN

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:36:56 -0700

James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, Dies at 73

James Brown 1933-2006

James Brown, the singer, songwriter, bandleader and dancer who indelibly transformed 20th-century music, died in Atlanta. He was 73 and lived in Beech Island, S.C., across the Savannah River from Augusta, Ga.

Mr. Brown died of congestive heart failure after being hospitalized for pneumonia, said his agent, Frank Copsidas.

Mr. Brown sold millions of records in a career that lasted half a century. In the 1960s and 1970s he regularly topped the rhythm-and-blues charts, although he never had a No. 1 pop hit. Yet his music proved far more durable and influential than countless chart-toppers. His funk provides the sophisticated rhythms that are the basis of hip-hop and a wide swath of current pop.-The New York Times

STILL THE FUNNIEST MAN, AND IS MISSED!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:04:35 -0700

John Ritter was and still is my favorite comedian and it still breaks my heart to think he is gone. Even though I never met him I miss him. I miss seeing him on televison and movies, promos for trailers, and interviews. When Three's Company airs on Nick-At-Night anymore, I watch for awhile then change the channel.He was a loved man with a deep heart.

He was one of a kind and will never be replaced.

SO LONG TO A BELOVED PET

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:09:35 -0700

Mitten lived a good life. She will be sadly missed by everyone that went to Mike and Dots house for the past 18 years. Farewell Mitten Lu.

August 1988-November 2006

STEVE IRWIN!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 21:11:45 -0700

"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"

Ijust loved watching Steve Irwin and even Terry do what they do best with animals. He was known for the "crocodile hunter" but over all he did loads for all sorts of animals and for that he deserves the highest honor. Skylar and I would watch as hewould rescue all sorts of animals from iguanas to worthogs and everything in between. I for one will be sad that his time is done, he was a great person with a great cause and he made outsiders respect such animals that people feared otherwise. His death is an unfortunate tragedy and you can't help but shed a tear or two for this man.....

GOODBYE BUDDY!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 13:52:18 -0700

THANK YOU FOR 4 YEARS OF WONDERFUL COMPANIONSHIP. WE SAVED YOU FROM STARVATION AND SICKNESS AND YOU GAVE US LOVE IN RETURN. YOU CAME HERE WITH US FROM ARKANSAS RIDING IN A UHAUL TRUCK WITH BAZ, MILO, MEIA AND THE FISH.

YOU WERE A FANTASITIC PAL FOR SKYLAR AS WELL AS BAZ.

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH BEAU. YOU WILL CERTAINLY BE MISSED MORE THEN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 00:10:46 -0700

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 16:46:11 -0700

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

To everyone I know that has served or is still in the military, thank you for giving me what I have today!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 11:00:00 -0700

TO THE HEROS OF 9/11

To the 190 that died at the Pentagon

To the 81 passangers and 11 crew aboard American Airlines Flight 11

To the 58 passangers and 6 crew aboard American Airlines Flight 77

To the 56 passangers and 9 crew aboard United Airlines Flight 175

To the 35 passangers and 5 crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93

To the 2,801 people and employees in/at the World Trade Center Towers

THANK YOU!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 23:56:33 -0700

Aaliyah

Today was the 4th anniversary of the death of Aaliyah. On August 25, 2001 Aaliyah died in a plane crash. Along with 7 others, she was 22 years old. She was a fabulous artist.

Central Park Conservancy and New York City have dedicated a Weeping Willow tree to our beloved Aaliyah on the pond in central park. It is located right next to Strawberry Fields at Ferncliff.
This Weeping Willow tree was endowed in memory of Aaliyah by her family. The tree is located on the shoreline of the Lake in the area known as Cherry Hill. This is a young tree and will grow to be a delicate, yet magnificent, tree...

Aaliyah Info./ Aaliayh Music/ Aaliyah Photos/

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 00:21:00 -0700

REST IN PEACE PETER JENNINGS

Peter Jennings lost his fight with lung cancer on August 7, 2005, he was 67 years old.

When 9/11 happened his face was the one that broke the news to me and my family and friends. He reported non-stop to let the world know what terrible thing had happened to us all. He is a late-night "friend" with a familiar face, as well as a fantastic reporter. He was ahead of his time and will be sorely missed by myself and many, many others.I think I speak for everyone when I say, thank youfor living in my time period and being apart of my world.

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 18:05:00 -0700

LOVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY

(This space on my weblog is dedicated to Winston Evans, and what a grand dog he was)

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....