VA Tech - Yesterday & Today

 - Per USA Today 4-16-2012:

Virginia Tech students feel safe

Five years after mass shooting, concerns fading

By Donna Leinwand Leger and Natalie DiBlasio USA TODAY

   BLACKSBURG, Va. — ……….

   Kira Lasinski, 17, of Whitehouse, N.J., toured Virginia Tech on Sunday and said she hadn’t thought much about the shooting.

   “I heard about it, I knew it happened, but I feel safe when I am on the campus,” she says.

   “As a parent, there really isn’t any fear,” says her mother, Kim Lasinski, 49. “It can happen anywhere.”

   Current students say the shooting comes up more in conversation with people outside the university.

   “When I say I go to Virginia Tech, people say, ‘Oh, the place where the shooting happened? Oh, were you there?’ ” says junior Casey Bolin, 21, of Stafford, Va. “It’s a little bit of a bummer that people associate your school with a terrible event like that, rather than with everything good that’s come out of here.”

   “I came the day after the one-year anniversary for my visit,” says senior Stephanie Simms, 22, of Henry, Va. “I saw the impact on the community, the state of Virginia and the whole country. It really exemplified the words ‘Hokie Nation.’ I wanted that community feel.”

   

…………………….Still, the shootings left an indelible mark. “Thirty-two people died that day,” Scruggs says. “Anytime we are having a bad day, we like to look at the memorial and live for those 32.”

   “In the sense of what will they be remembered for historically, some elements of that shooting will haunt their reputation forever,” says Jonathan Bernstein, president of Bern-stein Crisis Management in Sierra Madre, Calif.

   “The Virginia Tech shooting case became the bellwether case for colleges and universities all over the country,” he says. “As a result of the way they responded, both for better and for worse, it influenced how other organizations prepare.”

   Leinwand Leger reported from

   Washington, D.C.

In November of 2007; I, Frank Chaney, wrote in Our Company Newsletter:

I have never had a year where three events have impacted me so much. Two of them --- losing my mother-in-law unexpectedly and losing my oldest brother mainly impacted my family and my wife’s family. The third, the shooting of 31 innocent people at Virginia Tech on April 16^th, impacted our country, if not our world. All three events surrounded people and places that have helped solidify my foundation of basic values for years.

I was on the way to Baltimore on April 16^th for a meeting of all the Community Foundations in Maryland. As I went into the meeting I thought we had lost 2 young people, only to come out later in the afternoon and realize we had lost so many more. There is absolutely nothing that would hurt me more than losing a child. I could not imagine losing a loved one to such a tragedy.  I watched every minute I could on TV for days. My wife was still in West Virginia helping her Dad with the lost of his wife. I felt so helpless.

Will Stewart, who writes for VA Tech sports, like me and so many other Hokies around the world was trying to figure out the meaning for this tragic event. He wrote, “As I searched for meaning in what happened, I finally found it. I found it in the incredible poise, control, and togetherness shown by the Virginia Tech family. The true character of a person, group, or institution shows itself under pressure, and what the Virginia Tech community has shown us is grace, cohesion, intelligence, and compassion.

I have always thought that there was something different about Hokies, and the last few days have proven it. We always talk about the passion that Hokies have for Virginia Tech, about the special connection they feel to the university, and this tragedy has shown that talk doesn't ring hollow. If it wasn't true, if there wasn't a special bond between members of the Virginia Tech community, then they would have flown apart in the face of this adversity. They did not. They drew together and showed the world a united front.”

Over the years, plenty of people have asked me “why did you go to Virginia Tech?” My answer was always: I had gone to a small liberal arts based private school with about 15 students in a class most of my life, and now I wanted to go to a College that: #1---  was large, #2 --- emphasized math and technology and #3 --- was in the South where people were down to earth and friendly. In addition to VA Tech, I was accepted at Georgia Tech --- but it was in Atlanta, a big city. VA Tech was in Blacksburg, and as soon as I saw Virginia Tech’s campus and the town, I knew where I belonged. But not only is the Campus and the Surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains beautiful, but what truly is even more beautiful are the people from the area --- those who have lived in Southwest Virginia and nearby West Virginia for generations. Virginia Tech gives you the best of both worlds. Yes, it’s a large school with all of the inherited benefits, but its culture, is that of a small close community. In a letter to the Hokie Nation, Chris Fowler of ESPN summarized it best when he said, “There is a collective strength of spirit there that feels quite different from other campuses we visit. It’s a big school, of about 26,000. But it feels like a tight community………….Once a Hokie, always a Hokie.”

Now, when people ask me, what makes Hokies so loyal and so emotional about Virginia Tech? Well, my answer is first and foremost --- the People and the Place ---- but also the way outsiders perceive VA Tech. My wife is from West Virginia, and bless her heart, West Virginians take a lot of grief from the rest of the country --- for just being from somewhere off the beaten path. To a much lesser extent Virginia Tech has taken grief for years and years just as many land grant and agriculture based institutions have --- mainly from more highly perceived and privileged colleges.  We are a school that reflects the strengths and values of America – especially the hard working middle class of America and the first and second generation Americans that has made this country so unique and great. Thus, as Hokies, we have a little bit of a “chip on our shoulder” that gives us even more reason to be emotional and love our school. The victims were examples of this belief. They were intelligent and unique individuals from all nationalities and backgrounds.

And so were all the students who represented VA Tech on the news. They were constantly challenged and pushed to say just one thing that the press could run with and make it sound just awful. The students made me and all Hokie Alumni proud. They showed the strength of their values.

Will Stewart also wrote, “Being a Hokie is not a mercenary relationship. It is not a business proposition. It is not an exchange of goods and services for money. It is a shared bond, a love that comes from somewhere we don't understand and can't explain to others. We do not take from this university; it gives to us. Perhaps when we first arrive on its campus, we have our own selfish interests in mind, but by the time we leave, we are transformed. We are Hokies.

It is sad and tragic that this happened to us. Because we love this university, we are devastated by what happened here. But if it was necessary for us to suffer in order for others to benefit, it is a burden we will bear, because our motto -- Ut Prosim (Latin), That I May Serve -- tells us that's what we must do. If our tragedy brings you together, if our loss makes you safer and makes you value what is important in life, if our suffering is not in vain, then we are prepared to shoulder this load ... so you don't have to. That has always been the mission of this university, and we are honored to carry it out.”

With respect to the Tragedy on April 16, 2006 I have come to believe that God knew that the Devil was going to attack somewhere in America, and if he indeed was going to do that, God was going have it happen in Blacksburg --- one of the Lord’s strongest communities --- just to show the Devil how people can learn and become stronger, not weaker, from such tragedies.

I inherited the values that my father, Eugene, and my brother, Dickie, set at Chaney Enterprises. They were clearly reinforced with me and my niece, Donna, at Virginia Tech. We are all challenged at times. At those times you must just step back and look at the big picture and show your faith. Hebrews 11:1-2 in the Bible reads, “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith.”

Just after a recent Virginia Tech football lost in Blacksburg, I told Les, one of my very best friends, that 2007 had been my 2^nd worse year ever --- with 1967 the year my father died being the worst. Between VA Tech’s April 16^th, losing my mother-in-law unexpectedly and my brother, and a lot of truly little things (like tonight’s game defeat) it has been a bad year. In addition, the big drop in the housing market had caused so much turmoil with people who could least afford it, including some of our own team members at Chaney Enterprises. I was looking forward to January just to get out of 2007.

The next morning, I mentioned to a friend of Susan’s, that I was reading the Bible one day at a time (a special version where you read the Old and New Testaments at the same time) this year for the very first time, and then all of these bad things start happening. As a big time Christian she reminded me that the Devil is probably not happy with me reading the Bible and thus could be putting his own hand into my life to turn me away from the Bible.  At this moment I stepped back and looked at the big picture. You never know about the Devil, but I do know I am one of the luckiest people in the world.

I then e-mailed Les immediately. I thanked him for being a great friend as usual and let him know that: yes, some upsetting things had happened in 2007, but in many aspects it had been a great year.  I had been on a few trips that had gone great, I was reading the whole Bible for the first time ever, I had some new friends, and my old friendships had only gotten stronger. I had learned from both the bad and good times, and I was a stronger person for both.

With respect to the housing market, 2007 has definitely been a major disappointment. But our family and our top management are all very proud of how our Chaney Enterprises’ Team has responded. We expect 2008 to be another challenging year. We were proactive in 2006 expecting a downturn, just not as big as the one realized, but we were proactive and we continue to be. We are very aware that a cutback in overall hours worked hurt certain groups of employees more than others. We were already working on and have now issued a new “Quality of Life” survey as part of our annual internal customer survey. We want to have our pulse on how all our people are doing now and forever, so that we can be proactive and creative in ways to increase everyone’s overall “Quality of Life.” We believe we have some of the best Employee Benefits, but we are always open to new ideas and positive changes.

Overall, there are always challenges in life, but do not let tough times determine your future. Let your values show through and become stronger. With a solid foundation, hard work, and faith, anything is possible. Winston Churchill once said, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” Build your own solid foundation under your feet with good values, a good plan, good friends, and a good family……..

During any season, use that foundation and reach out to individuals in need.

In memory of my father, my mother and my brothers, and on behalf of the whole Chaney Family, THANK YOU  --- our team members, our customers, our suppliers, our community, and all our friends --- for helping make our company what we are as of 2012 -- Our 50th Anniversary.

May God always be with you and all of your families .

Sincerely Yours,

Frank Chaney

Very Proud Member of VA Tech's Class of 1979

President Obama’s Journey with America

Thoughts on President Obama’s Journey with America

Educated as a CPA and with life-time experience in helping to manage my family’s local business, I feel that President Obama cost the United States millions, if not billions, of dollars by choosing someone as the Head of the Treasury who was perceived as having cheated on his income taxes. Of those taxpayers in the grey on whether or not to declare certain income, the consequence is an unnecessary addition to our deficit. This first example of his much publicized “Change” was blatantly counterintuitive to what he had promised. Instead of what our founders would have wanted, he started us back towards the 18^th century European way of ruling a government.

After he was elected, I prayed that President Obama, as our first African American President, would accomplish enough to take advantage of an once in a lifetime opportunity for our country to really make America one country, united by many types of people. I had hoped that President Obama was sincere, and like Colin Powell, an African American who I had hoped would run for President; President Obama would be a truly special American. As a blue-dog Democrat, I thought he would make a clear statement with his actions, not just with his words, that would just help us move on to much greater accomplishments, while helping us truly heal and all be forgiven for whatever bad had been done by our ancestors in our past. Instead he has thrown a spark on the gas that had nearly evaporated just prior to his election. I could never have imagined that someone could so easily just throw the opportunity away, and do the total opposite. To put American against American is unnecessary and has created conflict greater than any in the previous half century, including the 1960s which I remember too well.

As far as I can tell, with our country’s strong financial foundation, it would just take a simple economic policy to turn things around. I pray that like previous similar situations in our country’s history that we as Americans raise ourselves above our short term differences to be sure that we not only survive but thrive in the long run.

A Reflection of MY Base Values

MY DAUGHTER’S WEDDING – IT WAS A DAY TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR:

I have two lifetime goals, both of which I have stressed with my children and all my loved ones:

1)            Think of others more than yourself

2)            Make this world a better place than it would have been without you

I have leaned on these two quotes to provide reassurance to my life goals:

“Maturity begins to grow when you sense your concern for others- outweighing your concern for yourself.”- Unknown

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”- Mark Twain

I pray that my life leads me to follow my goals each and every night. My wife and I are proud to say that both of my children, along with our niece and nephews understand the type of values needed to succeed in life. I know that those in my family who have gone on before us would be very proud of.

Brian Barton said it best, “If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.” My daughter definitely exemplifies that to a tee.  Her eyes, fair skin and light hair come from me while her special personality is sourced from her mother. My daughter is direct, opinionated, very competitive and a wonderful mother. She had the courage to schedule her wedding the same week as her college exams and birthday. She is tall, beautiful and an unbelievable athlete. Most importantly, she has truly adopted my life goals into her own as she cares about others before herself and she knows what she does today will leave a great impact for others for years to come.

And while she likes the Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers and is a proud VT Hokie at heart- she married someone a little different. His family hails from the North, he is a fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Washington Redskins and, yes, the Boston Celtics! For me to like this guy, her now husband --- he must be PRETTY GOOD ---- and he is.

Her husband was named for our President of the United States from July 10^th, 1781 to November 5^th, 1781. Thomas McKean was our President during the climax of the Revolutionary War. He stepped down after hearing that Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown.  Apparently my son-in-law was a little like President McKean. While he was one of our lesser known founding fathers and eventual signer of the Declaration of Independence, he had mysterious and unique persona.

My son-in-law is very quiet, but only in respect to speaking. He walks his talk. He works hard and is competitive. When he does talk, he speaks from his heart. And, as an Irishman, he was smart enough to follow the beliefs of Thomas Fuller, a British Clergyman, who said, “If you would have a good wife, marry one who has been a good daughter.”

·         And though he was not one of “our own” until just recently, I believe that he follows my life  goals and will be able to join my daughter and create another wonderful generation of believers in something that I hold so near and dear.

This blog was written in honor of those in my family that helped shaped the way I lead my life. You will read about them in subsequent blogs.