(02-14-2022 04:43 PM)chihuskie Wrote: Ouch. That hurts.
I remember that day clearly. I was at work in Naperville. My daughter was a soph and on campus. Someone came into my office and said something like, "did you hear?" I said, heard what? ----- She told me something (it's all a blur....) all I know is I tried calling my daughter immediately (like maybe 2 pm? 1: 45? ) and couldn't get through because phone lines were jammed! Finally got through to her after maybe an hour? Found out she had been off campus in an apt but was in a car accompanying giving a ride to class to a friend when ambulances started whipping past them. It was so shocking! I heard the sirens in the background of my call. She stayed up there that night. I went to pick her up next day in the early afternoon. We walked the area. Surreal. Went to the MLK commons. Saw some national news reporter move some note someone had written in a make-shift memorial because obviously the camera guy thought he could put the note in a better place for his tv shot--- and I told him off. How disrespectful!
Then there was a huge card for signature or just to write something there at the MLK mall. It only had a few signatures on it at the time-- sayings of respect, condolences etc. My daughter wrote the following. "Forward. Together Forward." And signed her name. I signed mine.
Awful day. Some things burnt into my memory. Other totally gone.
I agree "never forget," but dang! I wish I could!
Your daughter an I are the same age. It was crazy to me, being there that day. I had just had a class in that building, at that time the day before. It was a Gen Ed History class, and I remember the professor was so boring and monotone that I sat at the very front just to keep my eyes open. That semester, I scheduled all my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thinking I'd have all this free time to do other things.
On that day my roommate had an oceanography class in the room next door. But luckily he was lazy and he skipped out that day. I was sleeping when it happened, but I woke up with my friends who lived in the dorm at my townhouse on Regent. They sounded frantic and scared, and spoke of a shooting at Cole Hall with many dead. I doubted everything they said, and called them BS out of disbelief. But then I stepped outside and saw helicopters rushing in to flyover. I immediately turned our TV on and saw our beloved school, areas I walk everyday being reported on. My heart sank so low, and I got so scared. It was impossible to call out, but I finally let me mom in Hawaii know that I was okay and my dad in Gurnee know that I was at home that day.
Later that night, we learned that many we knew were shot. Friends deeply devastated and Kishwaukee recovering from injuries. Dan P was in the same rush class as me, while I rushed Pikes for a hot minute. I dropped out and we were never close, but it was saddening knowing our amazing community was victim to something I never thought could happen.
I was suddenly on the spotlight for several news channels, including the University of South Carolina school paper. I was thankful for the leadership of Chief Don Grady for securing campus so quickly. But still in shock over something I truly believed could never have happened here. Around the world, students from many other schools, especially the victims of Virginia Tech wrote out to me and my friends.
The rest of the semester was truly special, and a big reason why I bleed Huskie red and black. The campus and the community came together in some of the most magical moments I could have ever remembered. The hill near the student center became a memorial, they brought huskies on campus to help us cheer up, numerous vigils and marches. Everyone got really close, and we became so thankful of each other and didn't take each other for granted.
For years the healing process continued and the day played a significant role in the University's history. Although they have left us, the presence of those lost was still felt tremendously in my time at NIU. I remember when they unveiled the permanent memorial and the rehabilitation of Cole Hall had finished. For whatever reason, it seemed like all of us who were there, bonded together to ensure that this wouldn't happen again. I guess this is why I try and give back to the school as much as I can, financially and with volunteering. It's more than just a game, a campus or people to me.
