Never so proud to be an NIU alum

I am responding to a letter titled "Where are heroes when we need them?'"

I am a proud NIU alumni and parent of a current student. This has been a shocking, surreal and tragic experience. To read this letter and hear the writer say that these kids should have acted differently on that day leaves me stunned.

No one can predict a tragedy and how one reacts. He also implied there were no heroes there that day. I beg to differ. There were heroes in that classroom doing the best that they could. Students all over campus were heroes to text their friends to keep them safe, to help wounded students to safety and to be a shoulder of support. These students continue each and every day to be heroes to each other in coping with their own loss of innocence and safety.

The policemen were heroes in responding so quickly. The NIU president is a hero for having a disaster plan and for acting so efficiently. The doctors and nurses are heroes for working their miracles for these students. Parents all over are heroes for helping our children deal with this tragedy.

The students of Virginia Tech are heroes for reaching out to NIU students for support. So there were heroes all around us, and I am so proud of all of them. I have never been so proud to be an NIU alum.

Jeanne Grueter

West Dundee