15 Years Later Blacksburg Remains More Than a Town

Three numbers and a slash that all Hokies around the world immediately recognize.

On that day in 2007, 15 years ago tomorrow, tragedy hit Home for so many.

32 Hokies taken from us far too soon.

Each day we live the life that they never could.

But what remains? Blacksburg.

Blacksburg is more than a town.

Blacksburg is more than the bars where your favorite bartender already knows your drink.

Blacksburg is more than the restaurants where you know all the food specials.

Blacksburg is more than Lane Stadium.

Blacksburg is more than Enter Sandman.

Blacksburg is more than world class on-campus dining.

Blacksburg is more than going to the math empo to study only to end up hanging out with your friends.

Blacksburg is more than trekking across the Drillfield during a windy day.

Blacksburg is more than tailgating on Center Street.

Blacksburg is more than Cassell Coliseum.

Blacksburg is more than an area code.

Blacksburg is a people and a community that transcends southwest Virginia.

Blacksburg is getting a “Go Hokies” chant on the streets of any country around the world as you walk by in your maroon and orange.

Blacksburg is making new friends with people who graduated in your class but you never met while a student.

Blacksburg is “Hokie Twitter” coming together to raise money for a good cause.

Blacksburg is going to a San Diego Tech bar 2,400 miles away.

Blacksburg is talking each day to your best friend who went to school with you but now lives hundreds of miles away.

Blacksburg is not a place. It is a spirit that flows through all Hokies. Past, present, and future.

That spirit is what those 32 were living for before their lives were cut short.

We carry them with us as we go about our lives each day.

The world can seem like a dark place.

There is so much hate in it that it seems hard to see the good.

When you find yourself dwelling on the darkness just remember what Blacksburg means to you.

A spirit that no matter where you go or what you do, you will always be Home and you will always belong.

Live for 32.

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