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View Full Version : Unsung Virginia Tech Hero: ROTC Cadet Matthew La Porte

Liberty1
07-19-2007, 12:13 AM
http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352028793&path=!news!opinion]Letter%20to%20the%20Editor

Remembering the Virginia Tech tragedy
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Potomac News
Wednesday, July 18, 2007


Monday, July 16, marked three months since the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the victims, their families and their friends. I would like to take this opportunity to cite a heroic act that occurred on April 16, 2007.

In the April 23 issue of The Catholic Virginian, Deacon Michael Ellerbrock of St. Mary Catholic Church in Blacksburg said "One officer told me an ROTC student grabbed (the gunman) from behind and got (shot)."

That student was Cadet Matthew La Porte, a freshman and member of the Air Force ROTC on campus. A Washington Post profile also reported that Matthew "was killed trying to help those around him" and "died a hero."

Like Professor Liviu Librescu, who blocked the classroom doorway while students escaped through the windows, Matthew La Porte is also a hero of 4/16/07. Both of these brave men will forever be recognized for their sacrifice and valor on that tragic day.

FRANK L. JORDAN III

Newport News
M. Sage
07-19-2007, 06:54 PM
Damn, it's frustrating to read that! If one of those two would have had a gun... Hell if this guy would have had a KNIFE!

But, no, we're the people who actually follow the rules that say "no guns, no knives..." :rant:
RANGER295
07-19-2007, 09:36 PM
Damn, it's frustrating to read that! If one of those two would have had a gun... Hell if this guy would have had a KNIFE!

But, no, we're the people who actually follow the rules that say "no guns, no knives..." :rant:

+10000
fireblast713
07-19-2007, 10:04 PM
The shooter at VA was somewhat small I'm surprised that anyone w/ military training if allowed to get w/i arms length of him, wouldn't have had a chance to at least injure the shooter. A pair of scissors, table leg, fire extinguisher, etc could have been used as a makeshift weapon. But regardless it was very heroic to make any attempt, if more had collectively acted in such a manner, I'm sure there would have been less casualties.
Dont Tread on Me
07-19-2007, 10:08 PM
This guy died bravely and we should thank him for his service to our society.

There are legitimate questions for how one should engage an active shooter, make use of weapons of opportunity etc. but we should make a separate thread for them.
WolfMansDad
07-20-2007, 10:28 AM
La Porte got some press early on, but not enough. It's good to see him getting some recognition.

It would have been better if he had survived.
CalNRA
07-22-2007, 12:23 AM
What hurts is that, you, me, everyone on this site knows that if Cadet La Porte was able to arm himself, he would have dropped the shooter. Damn that sucks.

but the school would have then had two students with guns on campus, instead of one. That would have doubled the evilness of the school.:mad: