Georgians among those killed at Virginia Tech

The Widow's Son and all Masons (if I may speak for you) send out prayers for and condolences to the students, faculty, friends, families, law enforcement agents and others who were involved in and affected by yesterday's senseless killings at Virginia Tech.

Christopher "Jamie" Bishop, instructor of Introductory German, was the first to die in the classroom building. He earned his undergraduate and masters degrees at the University of Georgia. He was an avid hiker, movie buff, and Atlanta Braves fan. He had spent several years in Germany, and had married Dr. Stefanie Hofer, whom he met there. She is an instructor of foreign languages at Virginia Tech as was he.

You can see Jamie's Virginia Tech website here.

Jamie was a talented artist and photographer. You can see his portfolio here.

Jamie Bishop's father is science fiction writer Michael Bishop, from Pine Mountain, Georgia. The elder Bishop is the author of The Secret Ascension: Philip K. Dick is Dead, Alas. The "alas" in the title of the Kurt Vonnegut article I wrote here last week, "Kurt Vonnegut is Dead, Alas," was a nod/tribute to PKD and to the 1987 novel by Michael Bishop.

Several bloggers who knew Jamie have written about him in the past 24 hours. As someone who has lost close friends who were in the prime of their lives, including one who was murdered, I especially sympathize with them:

• Jason Lundburg
• Alex Wilson
• F. Brent Cox

Ryan Clark, 22, from Martinez, near Augusta, Georgia was one of the first two people killed in yesterday's rampage. Ryan was to graduate next month with dual degrees in biology and English. He was a resident adviser at West Ambler Johnson dorm. He intended to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology and was a member of Virginia Tech's marching band.

Though neither of these two men, nor anyone killed at Virginia Tech were Masons (that I know of), they were fellow human travelers and fellow Georgians. I offer this Masonic tribute to their too-short but well-traveled lives:

Wherever you may chance to be — Wherever you may roam,
Far away in foreign lands; Or just at Home Sweet Home;
It always gives you pleasure, it makes your heart strings hum
Just to hear the words of cheer, "I see you've traveled some."

When you get a brother's greeting, And he takes you by the hand,
It thrills you with a feeling that you cannot understand,
You feel that bond of brotherhood, that tie that's sure to come
When you hear him say in a friendly way, "I see you've traveled some."

And if you are a stranger, In strange lands all alone
If fate has left you stranded — Dead broke and far from home,
It thrills you — makes you numb, When he says with a grip of fellowship,
"I see you've traveled some."

And when your final summons comes, To take that last long trip,
Adorned with Lambskins Apron White and gems of fellowship —
The Tiler at the Golden Gate, With Square and Level and Plumb
Will size up your pin and say "Walk in,"
"I see you've traveled some."

— Author Unknown

Image #1: Christopher "Jamie" Bishop
Image #2: Ryan Clark

UPDATE: Here is a partial list of those who died yesterday at Virginia Tech. Remember them and their families.

• Maxine Turner, Vienna, Va., Senior, Chemical Engineering
• Henry Lee, Roanoke, Va., Freshman, Computer Engineering
• Matt La Porte, Dumont, N.J., Freshman, University Studies
• Jamie Bishop, Instructor, Foreign Languages and Literatures (German)
• G.V. Loganathan, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Juan Ortiz, Graduate Student, Civil Engineering
• Jarrett Lane, Narrows, Va., Senior, Civil Engineering
• Ryan Clark, Columbia County, Ga., Senior, Biology, English, Psychology
• Leslie Sherman, Sophomore, History and International Studies
• Caitlin Hammaren, Sophomore, International Studies and French
• Liviu Librescu, Professor, Engineering Science & Mechanics
• Kevin Granata, Professor, Engineering Science & Mechanics
• Reema Samaha, Centreville, Va., Freshman
• Emily Hilscher, Woodville, Va., Freshman, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Equine Science

UPDATE: The Salvation Army brought a truck from Roanoke to serve meals to victims to families, emergency workers and others gathered at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Richard White, a captain of the organization, estimated 500 meals had been served so far, about 10 of which were brought to a grief-sticken family staying upstairs at the Inn at Virginia Tech. "There's not a lot you can say," White said.

If you feel the need to "do something," a contribution to your local Salvation Army might be appropriate.

UPDATE: Bro. Chris Hodapp of Freemasons for Dummies has put faces on some of those killed by posting photographs.

Virginia Tech | Christoper Jamie Bishop | Ryan Clark | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com