Delta Chi member David Hurdle stood on the front lawn of theempty Delta Chi house on Riverside Avenue Monday night, sayingMichael McKinney was one of the main reasons he joined thefraternity in fall 2002.
"No matter who you were, he was gonna be your friend," Hurdlesaid. "His happiness rubbed off on everyone. He was just a greatguy overall - that's all you can say."
McKinney was shot and killed by university police officer RobertDuplain in 2003. Monday was the anniversary of his death.
Hurdle was one of about 22 Delta Chi members and friends whogathered at the Delta Chi house to commemorate a man who was animportant part of their family, Delta Chi member Brandon Troysaid.
"This is one unifying place. He was a big part of the familythere," Troy said as he glanced at the Delta Chi house. "He isnever forgotten. As long as people are around, they're gonna gettogether and remember him."
The gathering at the Delta Chi house followed a gathering atseveral of the members' house on Ashland Avenue, where a largegreen ribbon was tied on the front tree. Several of the memberswore Delta Chi sweatshirts and pinned small green ribbons onthem.
"It's his favorite color," Troy said. "He was a big Irish fan.It's a way to remember him."
In the backyard, a few members prepared a banner on which theyspray-painted a green shamrock and wrote "Gone but Never Forgotten.RIP McKinney. Remember."
Members and friends carried the banner from Ashland Avenuetoward the Delta Chi house, where they hung it on the large frontwindow on the second story of the house.
They later gathered in a circle as Delta Chi member Sean Slainreflected on McKinney. Slain said while McKinney's tragic deathoccurred one year ago, his friends will always remember thehonorable man he was.
"Who he was is something we'll never forget," Slain read to thegroup. "Mikey was a giver, never a receiver."
Members of the group later wrapped their arms around each otherand swung side to side as they sang the fraternity song, which theyoften sang at the end of their meetings. They also sang it atMcKinney's funeral and other meaningful get-togethers, Troysaid.
At the song's conclusion, they took turns passing around agallon of grape juice, clapping, cheering and letting out aharmonious yell as each drank a portion to help finish it.
Hurdle said being able to gather and laugh with fellow Delta Chimembers Monday demonstrated that the fraternity is able to sticktogether through the toughest of times.
"Losing Michael was a horrible thing," Hurdle said. "But itshowed how strong we really are."
Troy said coming together with other Delta Chi members wascertainly a significant way to help honor McKinney's life. Thoughthe members disbanded in June 2003 and are no longer on campus,they will always be one in spirit, and McKinney will always be apart of them, he said.
"He was completely loveable, generous, fun-loving. He was anintegral part of our family," Troy said. "Everyone knew him. He waseveryone's best friend."
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