Tech student from isles mourns death of friend

Andrew Ton of Kailua contacted all his friends except one -- fellow cadet Matthew La Porte

All day Monday, Andrew Ton called and text-messaged friends. Everybody responded, except one friend -- fellow Virginia Tech cadet and freshman Matthew La Porte.

His friends knew La Porte had class Monday morning in Norris Hall, the site of the second shootings where most of the 32 people were killed in the deadliest shooting spree in America.

At 1 a.m. yesterday, Ton received the bad news: La Porte, whom he had known since the first week of school, had been fatally shot by the gunman identified as 23-year-old senior Cho Seung-hui.

IN HAWAII

Requiem Mass to remember victims

St. Andrews Cathedral will say a Requiem Mass -- a prayer to honor the deceased -- in the Parke Chapel from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. today for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings.

The church is located in Queen Emma Square on South Beretania Street at Alakea and Queen Emma streets.

State flags flying at half-staff

State flags are flying at half-staff until sunset Sunday in remembrance of the victims of Monday's shootings in Virginia.

"Hawaii joins the nation in mourning the loss of the innocent victims of this horrible and senseless act of violence," Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday in a written statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured, and we stand united with the Virginia Tech community as they struggle to recover from this heartbreaking tragedy."

The governor's order yesterday coincides with the president's proclamation issued yesterday for all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff.

"When the gunman entered his classroom, he stood up. Supposedly to stop him, but who knows now," said Ton, 19, a 2006 Kailua High School graduate. "Details are blurry, but the end of it is that he got shot point-blank. Matthew La Porte stood up knowing his chances. ... He was a great Air Force cadet, man and friend."

Ton was in the same Air Force flight class as La Porte. They saw each other two or three times a week during morning formations and in class. He described La Porte as a quiet, good guy who was in the band.

As officials sort out what happened in Monday's rampage, two Hawaii high school graduates are finding ways to finish their freshman year at Virginia Tech, marked by sorrow and resilience.

"I've decided that I'm not thinking about transferring now," said Jessamy Oxley, a 2006 Moanalua High School graduate. "I think it's the right thing to do -- to stick with the campus and the school during this time. Everyone came together yesterday. It made me feel like a Hokie now," she said, referring to the school's mascot.

When Ton and his friends found out about La Porte's death, they visited the chapel to pray. Yesterday morning, they lined up for the usual 7:15 a.m. formation to show that the Corps of Cadets still stands strong.

Ton was one of the cadets at yesterday's convocation, where President Bush and Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine offered their condolences. Students displayed their Hokie pride in orange and maroon and ended the convocation with a Virginia Tech cheer.

"There were so many people," Ton said. "It got really quiet at one point. It was amazing how quiet it got with that many people. It was powerful."

Most of the students have left the campus because classes were canceled for the rest of the week. Norris Hall has been shut down for the rest of the semester.

"I don't think anyone will be able to go back there anytime soon," Oxley, 19, said.

Ton went back to Springfield, Va., where his family relocated after moving from Kailua last year.

Oxley also went to her family's home, in northern Virginia. She is trying to return things to normal by studying for finals, which are in a couple of weeks.

THE VICTIMS

A look at 29 of the 32 victims killed in the Virginia Tech shootings and identification sources where available:

» Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20, of Saugus, Mass., according to his mother, Lynnette Alameddine.

» Christopher James Bishop, 35, according to Darmstadt University of Technology in Germany, where he helped run an exchange program.

» Brian Bluhm, 25, formerly of Detroit, according to friend Michael Marshall. His death also was announced before the Detroit-Kansas City baseball game.

» Ryan Clark, 22, of Martinez, Ga., biology and English major, according to Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins.

» Austin Cloyd, 19, an international studies major from Blacksburg, Va., according to Terry Harter, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Champaign, Ill., where Cloyd and her family lived before moving to Blacksburg.

» Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, age unknown, a French instructor, according to her husband, Jerzy Nowak, the head of the horticulture department at Virginia Tech.

» Daniel Perez Cueva, 21, killed in his French class, according to his mother, Betty Cueva, of Peru.

» Kevin Granata, 45, engineering science and mechanics professor, according to Ishwar K. Puri, the head of the engineering science and mechanics department.

» Caitlin Hammaren, 19, of Westtown, N.Y., a sophomore majoring in international studies and French, according to Minisink Valley, N.Y., school officials who spoke with Hammaren's family.

» Jeremy Herbstritt, 27, of Bellefonte, Pa., according to Penn State University, his alma mater and his father's employer.

» Rachael Hill, 18, of Glen Allen, Va., according to her father, Guy Hill.

» Emily Jane Hilscher, a 19-year-old freshman from Woodville, according to Rappahannock County Administrator John W. McCarthy, a family friend.

» Jarrett L. Lane, age unknown, according to Riffe's Funeral Service Inc. in Narrows, Va.

» Matthew J. La Porte, 20, a freshman from Dumont, N.J., according to Dumont Police Chief Brian Venezio.

» Henry Lee, 20, a freshman who emigrated from China while he was in elementary school and became an American citizen in 1999.

» Liviu Librescu, 76, engineering science and mathematics lecturer, according to Puri.

» G.V. Loganathan, 51, civil and environmental engineering professor, according to his brother G.V. Palanivel.

» Partahi Lumbantoruan, 34, of Indonesia, civil engineering doctoral student, according to Kristiarto Legowo, a spokesman for the Indonesian foreign ministry.

» Lauren McCain, 20, of Hampton, Va., international studies major, according to a statement from family members.

» Daniel O'Neil, 22, of Rhode Island, according to close friend Steve Craveiro and according to Eric Cardenas of Connecticut College, where O'Neil's father, Bill, is director of major gifts.

» Juan Ramon Ortiz, a 26-year-old graduate student in engineering from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, according to his wife, Liselle Vega Cortes.

» Erin Peterson, 18, a freshman international relations major from Centreville, Va.

» Michael Pohle, 23, of Flemington, N.J., according to officials at his high school, Hunterdon Central High.

» Julia Pryde, age unknown, a graduate student from Middletown, N.J., according to Virginia Tech professor Saied Mostaghimi, chairman of the biological systems and engineering department.

» Mary Karen Read, 19, of Annandale, Va., according to her aunt, Karen Kuppinger, of Rochester, N.Y.

» Reema J. Samaha, 18, a freshman from Centreville, Va., according to her family.

» Leslie Sherman, 20, a sophomore and history major from Springfield, Va.

» Maxine Turner, 22, a senior chemical engineering major from Vienna, Va.

» Nicole White, age unknown, an international studies major from Smithfield, Va.