Matt La Porte was a student of mine at Carson Long. He sat in the first row, second seat of my world history class. Probably the best cadet the school has ever seen. He loved history and he had an interest in turtles (that's what I'll always remember). He will be missed.

I did not know Matthew, but while visiting Tech this past weekend, I ran into him while he was performing for a freshman ceremony. We only had a fifteen minute conversation, but from that, I could tell that he was extremely sweet, funny, and full of life. We are praying for his family, and know that he is playing in another band now and is full of peace and joy.

I knew five of those killed in Monday's shootings at Tech. In fact, of the first four names I heard of those killed, I knew three of them, including Professor Loganathan, Jarrett Lane, and Matt LaPorte. I also knew Matt Gwaltney and Dan O'Neil, both TA's in two of my engineering classes this semester and last. All of them were able to teach me something, especially the students, over the last few years of my life, so only giving tribute to one would not give justice to the impact they all had on my life. This is true of all the victims of Monday's tragic events... even though I only knew five of those killed, I recognized dozens more as I saw their pictures just from being in a class or seeing them around campus. Not having them all is a great loss to all of us and to the environment they helped create at Tech. I'm thankful for having known these few lost, and hopeful that their memory will continue to make Virginia Tech a great place to live, work, and learn.

My son attended Carson Long Military school with Matthew La Porte. He was a freshman when Matt was a senior. He remembers when the school announced that Matt received a 100k fully paid scholarship. It was announced in the lunchroom and the cadets were told to congratulate Matt. It was a small school, appx. 200 students total. I asked my son about Matt last night and he told me that he was a funny fellow and everyone at school knew and liked him. I send my condolences to his family and all the victims of this senseless tragedy.

"I have lost a fellow brother and for this I am deeply saddened. Matthew La Porte lived directly across the hall from me. Matthew was a member of my training company, the Regimental Band, which is a part of my larger extended family, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Matthew had a beautiful, uplifting spirit and sense of humor. I know from my own experiences in working and training with him that he always tried his hardest and put forth his best effort in everything he did. When others would fade under the pressure that the Cadet lifestyle entails, Matthew never gave up, and he never quit; to me he epitomizes one of the maxims I hold dear 'strength from unity, pride through perseverance.' Thank you."

"Matt was the goofiest guy I had met in the Air Force ROTC program. What a good guy... Although I wasn't close friends with Matt, he was in my flight and saw him more than a usual cadet in the Air Force program. He tried hard in everything he did, and really didn't have a sense of physical pain. I can remember vividly him pushing through a hard run with extremely bad limps due to shin splints. I'll never forget him, that crazy smile on such a quiet person. Rest in Peace buddy!"

Matt La Porte. I only met him briefly on the VT campus. He was a cadet in my daughter's Air Force ROTC unit, and a member of the Corps of Cadets, as is she. The main thing I remember about him is his smile. It was like flicking on 10,000 light bulbs at the same time.

My daughter worked with Matt everyday. She knew him well. When I asked her about him this week she said, "I'd like to think that he went down throwing chairs." Whenever my daughter talks about Matt, she just shakes her head and smiles. I can't imagine a greater tribute.

One look at Matt La Porte and you knew he was going to be successful because you could see friendship, good intention and ambition in his eyes. We are one big family. Losing any fellow Hokie is a great tragedy. Losing 32 is a monumental catastrophe. But when we found out about Matt, a fellow cadet, one of our brothers, it was too much to bear for all of us in the Corps.

He was going into the military and wanted to serve his country. Although he will not get the chance to serve in the Air Force now, he did still serve in the ultimate capacity. He attempted to sacrifice himself and stop the shooter, and in doing so exemplified our motto, "Ut Prosim," that I may serve. For that, the La Porte family should know that he is our hero, and that his peers will never forget him, we will carry on his legacy, and we will always keep him in our hearts. He was an outstanding young man and we all would have been proud to serve along side of him. He will be missed. The entire Virginia Tech cadet regiment is here for them, and I imagine so is anyone else who wears orange and maroon, or red white and blue. It is an honor for us to have been in the same organization as him.