Va. Tech Mourns Amid 'The Stench of Death'

April 21, 2007 — -- In the small community of Blacksburg and across the country, students, family, and friends gathered on Sunday to say good bye to the victims of Monday's massacre at Virginia Tech.

Even for pastors who constantly comfort families in crisis the emotion is raw.

"The stench of death is around this campus," said Pastor Reggie Tuck at a service at the United Methodist Church of Blacksburg, where candles were lit for all 32 victims and each name was read aloud.

Ryan Clark, 22, one of the first to die, was buried today 330 miles to the south in Evans, Ga. His fellow musicians from the Virginia Tech marching band made the long drive to perform at the service.

President Bush devoted his entire radio address today to the tragedy.

"Our society continues to wrestle with the question of how to handle individuals whose mental health problems can make them a danger to themselves and to others," he said. "Colleges and state and local officials are now confronting these issues and the federal government will help."

Investigators continue to run down leads, trying to learn whether Seung-Hui Cho communicated with anyone by e-mail or cell phone about his plans for the massacre.

For the first time since Monday's horror, there are signs the Virginia Tech campus is coming back.

The baseball team played Saturday night against visiting University of Miami. The home crowd couldn't have cared less that their team lost 11-9.

Students and their families are steadily making their way back to campus. Classes resume on Monday. But officials say no one who chooses not to show up will be penalized.