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Highty-Tighty alumni and friends,

Previously I had sent out two Highty-Tighty Half-Notes following the incident at Virginia Tech. One showed the band marching to participate in the convocation the day after the shooting and Highty-Tighties participating at the wreath vigil. The second focused on the candlelight vigil on the drillfield. But as my reports had less and less to do specifically with the band, I simply called them, "reports from campus." I now return to the Half-Notes, because this is focused on the band and more specifically on the services for Matt La Porte here in Blacksburg.

Matt was from New Jersey, and when LTC Chuck Payne got in touch Matt's parents as contact officer, Matt's mother immediately stated that she wanted Matt buried in his cadet uniform. He was all about the corps and the band. After further discussion, Matt's parents stated that they wanted to have him buried in Blacksburg. This was a bit surprising to LTC Payne and to the rest of us who heard it. The natural tendency would be to expect that the family would want their son to be buried near them where other members of their family were buried. But Matt's parents wanted him buried many miles from their home, here in Blacksburg, because Matt loved the VTCC and the Highty-Tighties so much. We all believe that Matt's parents have given us a beautiful gift with this decision. Virginia Tech and Blacksburg are indeed a very special place. Matt and his parents seem to recognize that.

Matt was taken to his hometown in New Jersey for a viewing and services there over the weekend. He was then returned here to Blacksburg for another viewing last night. A memorial service was held today followed by a graveside service which was attended by the entire Regiment.

At last night's viewing, I joined the long line of cadets and others to see Matt and to speak to his parents. There was so much grief apparent on the faces of the band members as well as cadets from the entire corps. But it was so gratifying to see the mutual support provided by one cadet to another and the closeness of family that was clearly visible. It made me swell with pride to see this among the fine cadets we in the HTA support.

A viewing is not a time for pictures, and it did not even cross my mind to take a camera. Nevertheless, I'd like to share two pictures with you from the viewing, but I'll need to use only words to paint them for you. I've never been one to favor open caskets, but this time it was most appropriate. Unlike any viewing I have ever been to, Matt's casket was fully open, rather than only half of the top. He was, as his parents had requested, attired in Full Dress A with his cover to his right side. He looked remarkably at peace, and this was comforting for me, knowing the violence with which he met his death. The second picture I'd like to describe involves the cadets who stood patiently waiting to pay their respects to Matt in a line that always seemed to get longer rather than shorter as time went on. There was a kneeling board at the side of his casket, and many cadets took time to kneel in prayer with their hands folded on his casket. It is a picture that will be etched in my mind forever as one cadet after the other took time to kneel and pray. The impact of the scene reached far beyond the room and even this community and the event that has shaken it. Somehow, everything seemed right in this world as such a beautiful sight was played out in the wake of tragedy.

When my time came to speak with Mr. and Mrs. La Porte, I introduced myself as a member of the Highty-Tighty class of 1968 and said that I was a member of the board of directors. I told them that this past year we had created a Highty-Tighty alumni pin to be given to graduating seniors as they became members of the band's alumni, and that the first seniors to get them would do so this coming Sunday at the Highty-Tighty annual banquet. I explained that so far only alumni who had purchased them had pins, and to this point, no cadet had ever been given one. I then gave them a pin and said that all Highty-Tighty alumni would like for Matt to receive the first pin ever given to a cadet. They were visibly moved by this gesture. His mother asked me if she could put it on him. I told her that what was done with the pin was entirely their choice. She told me that she was going to put it on Matt, but then she said that she wanted one too. Not having any others with me, I took mine off and gave it to her. I told Matt's parents of the huge response I had received in e-mails from Highty-Tighty alumni who offered their support and condolences. I also told her that Matt would always be considered a Highty-Tighty alumni and that our board of directors would make that official at our meeting this coming Saturday. Matt's parents both thanked me extensively for that, and they said it meant very much to them to know that the Highty-Tighty alumni would recognize Matt. When the graduating seniors are presented their Highty-Tighty alumni pins this Sunday, they and the entire band will be told that Matt was the first cadet to receive the pin. Two years from now, when Matt's HT class of '09 receives their pins and become alumni, we will again mention Matt and acknowledge that he has been, is, and always will be a Highty-Tighty alumni.

Today after the services, George McMichael and I again spoke with the La Portes. They told us they had pinned the Highty-Tighty alumni pin on Matt before the casket was closed. George explained that we would be discussing what we should do to remember Matt at this Saturday's board of director's meeting. He told them that nothing would be done without their concurrence, but they could be assured that we would never let Matt be forgotten.

I will pause here and say that anyone who is a Highty-Tighty alumni but who does not have a pin yet can still order one using the order form in the last newsletter. If you don't have the newsletter, e-mail me and let me know, and I'll tell you how to order a pin.

Today's service for Matt was outstanding. It was attended by the entire Corps of Cadets. A small contingent from VMI was also present as were uniformed members of the military school Matt had attended before coming to Tech. The Regiment marched as a unit to the cemetery to be a part of the service which included full military honors. I could be mistaken, but I believe that the last time the entire Corps of Cadets participated in a memorial service like this one was when former Highty-Tighty director, Jim Schaeffer, passed away. I attended that service as a young boy who was a month shy of his sixth birthday. It took place in November 1951, so this is not an event that takes place very often.

I am happy to report that today's service was not turned into a media circus like another funeral that took place this past Saturday in Blacksburg for another one of the victims. It was a dignified and reverent event that made everyone in attendance very proud. I have attended many military funerals in my lifetime, but I can honestly say that I have never witnessed one that was carried out with such precision, respect, and honor.

The most moving event, as far as I was concerned, was what the Highty-Tighties of Matt's class did at the very end. Since the shooting, the members of the Corps of Cadets have participated in events with their various citation cords removed from their uniforms. This was to show solidarity. The exceptions were the color guard, members of the Gregory Guard that were participating in a service, and the Regimental Band, who continued to wear their white cords in honor of Matt. But at the end of the service, the Highty-Tighty sophomores filed past Matt's casket. One by one, they took off their white cords and placed them across the top of his casket. This gesture really touched the emotions of everyone present. As Rock Roszak said, "It broke my heart, but then, maybe it healed my heart." It also goes to show just how fantastic the young people are who make up the Highty-Tighties. They are so deserving of our support.

Cadet Matthew La Porte was laid to rest with full military honors today in Blacksburg. His burial followed a funeral mass at Saint Mary's Church, attended by Matt's family, President Steger, Provost McNamee, Major General Allen, the Corps and ROTC staffs, and 50 cadets, including Cadet La Porte's Highty-Tighty classmates. The Corps of Cadets attended his burial in regimental formation.

1-Colors: The Color Guard prepares to leave the Upper Quadrangle for
the regimental march to the cemetery in Blacksburg.

Photo by Rick Griffiths.

2-March: Cadet Andrew Archut leads the regiment through the streets of
Blacksburg neighborhoods. Photo by Josh Armstrong.

3-Honor Guard: A cadet honor guard brought the casket into the church
for the funeral mass...

4-Moving: ...and after the mass processed to the burial site.

5-Flag: The Honor Guard folded the National Flag which was then
presented to the La Porte family.

6-Regiment: The full cadet regiment was arrayed along the hills of the
cemetery. Photo by Michael Kiernan.

7-White Cords: At the end of the service, Cadet La Porte's classmates
placed their white Presidential Citation cords on their classmate's
casket. Photo by Bert Kinzey

8-Highty-Tighties: Matt's unit, the Highty-Tighties, prepares to lead
the regiment back to the Upper Quad after the ceremony.

9-VMI Cadets: A contingent of cadets from VMI honored our fallen cadet
and marched with the regiment. We were honored to have them with us.

10-Cords: May our fallen young man rest in peace.