As a child, he had survived the Holocaust. As an adult, he had survived persecution for defying Romania's brutal Communist regime during the Cold War. With their children grown, he and his wife, Marlena, had spent a quiet two decades on a peaceful university campus in rural Virginia.
But Monday, trouble found him once more. With bursts of gunfire rattling through the second floor of Norris Hall, Librescu closed his classroom door, giving his students time to escape through the windows, recalled senior Caroline Merrey of Baltimore, the third student to jump.
"He saved my life," Merrey said.
As they fled, Librescu held the door shut with his body while the gunman, 23-year-old Tech senior Seung-hui Cho, tried to force his way inside.
Moments after the last student leapt to safety, Cho apparently forced the door open and shot Librescu to death.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN, SENATOR, OR THE PRESIDENT TO NOMINATE THIS EXCEPTIONAL HERO FOR OUR COUNTRY'S HIGHET HONOR
I keep staring at the screen because it feels like the world is finally waking up to the pure bravery of what he did that day. It is such a heavy but necessary thing to push for this recognition and seeing so many people agree makes me feel like maybe we can actually see this through to the end.
April 22, 2007
I feel like I have been spending every spare second scrolling through the stories you all are leaving in the comments section because they are just so heavy and important to acknowledge. It really hits home how one person choosing to stand his ground can literally change the trajectory of so many lives forever. I am still trying to figure out the best way to package all your thoughts to send off to the offices in D.C. so please just keep everything coming even if it feels quiet on my end.
April 21, 2007
I keep staring at the signature count because we are creeping up on the five hundred mark and honestly it feels like the momentum is finally building after those long quiet patches. If just a few more of you could ping your representatives today or even just mention this to a neighbor over coffee then I really believe we can hit that milestone before the end of the day.
Reached 100 supporters
April 19, 2007
6 Comments
L
Linda Vogel
19 years ago
Featured
What a tragic loss but we have to recognize his selflessness. Please let this happen.
J
Jessica Schmidt
19 years ago
Featured
The world lost a good one that day. Honoring him is the least we can do.
T
Tom Robinson
19 years ago
Featured
NEVER FORGET. A real hero who acted when it mattered most.
M
Mike Becker
19 years ago
Featured
True hero. He didnt have to do that but he stayed so those kids could live. Give him the medal he deserves.
D
Dave Davis
19 years ago
Featured
He deserves the highest honor. Absolute hero who sacrificed everything for his students.
S
Sarah Snyder
19 years ago
Featured
This man is the definition of bravery. Rest in peace Professor.
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As a child, he had survived the Holocaust. As an adult, he had survived persecution for defying Romania's brutal Communist regime during the Cold War. With their children grown, he and his wife, Marlena, had spent a quiet two decades on a peaceful university campus in rural Virginia.
But Monday, trouble found him once more. With bursts of gunfire rattling through the second floor of Norris Hall, Librescu closed his classroom door, giving his students time to escape through the windows, recalled senior Caroline Merrey of Baltimore, the third student to jump.
"He saved my life," Merrey said.
As they fled, Librescu held the door shut with his body while the gunman, 23-year-old Tech senior Seung-hui Cho, tried to force his way inside.
Moments after the last student leapt to safety, Cho apparently forced the door open and shot Librescu to death.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN, SENATOR, OR THE PRESIDENT TO NOMINATE THIS EXCEPTIONAL HERO FOR OUR COUNTRY'S HIGHET HONOR
I keep staring at the screen because it feels like the world is finally waking up to the pure bravery of what he did that day. It is such a heavy but necessary thing to push for this recognition and seeing so many people agree makes me feel like maybe we can actually see this through to the end.
April 22, 2007
I feel like I have been spending every spare second scrolling through the stories you all are leaving in the comments section because they are just so heavy and important to acknowledge. It really hits home how one person choosing to stand his ground can literally change the trajectory of so many lives forever. I am still trying to figure out the best way to package all your thoughts to send off to the offices in D.C. so please just keep everything coming even if it feels quiet on my end.
April 21, 2007
I keep staring at the signature count because we are creeping up on the five hundred mark and honestly it feels like the momentum is finally building after those long quiet patches. If just a few more of you could ping your representatives today or even just mention this to a neighbor over coffee then I really believe we can hit that milestone before the end of the day.
Reached 100 supporters
April 19, 2007
6 Comments
L
Linda Vogel
19 years ago
Featured
What a tragic loss but we have to recognize his selflessness. Please let this happen.
J
Jessica Schmidt
19 years ago
Featured
The world lost a good one that day. Honoring him is the least we can do.
T
Tom Robinson
19 years ago
Featured
NEVER FORGET. A real hero who acted when it mattered most.
M
Mike Becker
19 years ago
Featured
True hero. He didnt have to do that but he stayed so those kids could live. Give him the medal he deserves.
D
Dave Davis
19 years ago
Featured
He deserves the highest honor. Absolute hero who sacrificed everything for his students.
S
Sarah Snyder
19 years ago
Featured
This man is the definition of bravery. Rest in peace Professor.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
750 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
or sign with Email
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
What a tragic loss but we have to recognize his selflessness. Please let this happen.