| Highty-Tighty alumni and
friends,
Because of the response to my e-mails and the last Highty-Tighty
Half Note, I am following up with one about the candlelight vigil
held tonight on the drillfield. I know that not every photo is about
the Highty-Tighties, but I am certain that our alumni will want
to share in this experience and hear about it from someone who was
there but who is not part of the media.
I can tell you that it was an incredibly moving experience, so much
so that, at times, I could not even speak to my wife Lynda standing
beside me. I was actually trembling much of the time, and I felt
a great sense of pride in being part of the Virginia Tech community.
Around me I saw so many tears. An Asian girl, who knew one of the
victims, was sobbing uncontrollably much of the time, and the efforts
of two of her friends and complete strangers, including my wife,
were heartwarming to watch as they tried to comfort her. Scenes
like that were all around. Surrounding me were students, faculty,
staff, members of the rescue squads, police, the media, and yes,
many many alumni. So many of them were wearing their Burnt Orange
and Chicago Maroon, including myself in my Highty-Tighty sweater.
The Corps of Cadets marched to the vigil as a unit. As the Regimental
Staff approached me, I could see the line of cadets stretching all
the way back to the upper quad. It was very impressive and would
cause anyone who had ever worn that blue and white uniform in the
past to swell with pride . The entire event is something that I
will never forget. I only wish that each of you could have been
there to experience it for yourself. Neither words nor photos can
impart the emotion of the event to you. I truly was not something
you watched, you experienced it with every aspect of your being.
Twice now, I have been on campus, and yes, there is a feeling of
the tragedy of the event. But for me, at least, this is but ten
percent of the emotion. The overwhelming feeling is one of coming
together as I have never personally experienced it in my life.
Alumni have been asking me to add friends and other alumni to the
list that receives the Highty-Tighty Half Notes. I am happy to do
this, and I also ask any of you who know alumni and others who might
like to receive these to forward them on to those peope. This is
a new thing that I have just started to augment the Highty-Tighty
Notes newsletter, so the mailing list is far less extensive now
than I hope it will eventually become. One of the members of the
band, who is a rising senior, has told me that the band wants to
expand the contact and relationship with the alumni, and they will
be using these Highty-Tighty Half Notes as one way to do that. I
look forward to that.
Once again, I must repeat that the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets,
The Highty-Tighties, and the Virginia Tech community has done nothing
but conduct themselves in a manner of which we can all be proud.
Rock Roszak, who attended the convocation this afternoon, told me
that the Highty-Tighies were "magnificent." I watched
that convocation on television, and I was heartened to hear the
Highty-Tighties acknowledged for their participation in that event,
although they were never shown on camera.
We are Virginia Tech!
Bert Kinzey
Editor, Highty-Tighty Notes and Highty-Tighty Half Notes
HT '68
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During the day, the VTCC wreath vigil was moved out of the War
Memorial Chapel to a position between the eight pylons. Here,
cadets change the guard at the wreath about an hour before the
candlelight vigil began.
Cadet Colonel Andrew N. Archut and the Regimental Staff lead
the Corps of Cadets to the drillfield for the candlelight vigil.
The line of cadets stretches all the way back to the upper quad,
making for a very impressive sight.
A single snare drummer from the Highty-Tighties kept the cadence
for the entire Regiment as it marched to the drillfield.
The Highty-Tighties stand at attention before falling out to
take their place on the drillfield among the throng of thousands.
The drillfield is filled with people holding candles high. The
crowd took part in spontaneous chants of "Lets Go, Hokies!,"
the hymn Amazing Grace, and the cheer "Old Hokie."
Long after Echo Taps was played, the crowd remained on the drillfield.
It was a very moving experience that cannot be described with
words.
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