"You can go home now" - Memorial for Joe

Thursday morning started with ice and freezing rain; you might say it was a nasty morning out, weather-wise. I hopped on a bus to campus shortly before noon to visit the Paterno statue by the stadium one last time for the week; just one more pilgrim making visitation.

The memorial service was to begin in just a few hours (no, I wasn't able to get tickets - they went in less than 10 minutes), and there were lots of visitors around the statue. Many more offerings had been left, and I noticed the statue had been given a pair of white wings.

On the wall behind the statue, visitors had continued to hang rosaries, flowers, and blue and white beads. Seemingly oblivious to the weather, the crowd was growing.

It's actually a rather small space between the statue and the surrounding walls. Big enough for a girl with a camera, but not quite big enough for a girl with a camera and an umbrella. I was trying, almost unsuccessfully, to juggle them both, and get a few shots without poking anybody in the eye or ruining my camera in the rain: a real balancing act. I stayed for about 15 minutes, then caught the next bus back to my building, feeling like I'd been part of it.

That afternoon, the memorial service was held. Many individuals - mostly young men - told their personal stories of how Joe Paterno had influenced their lives for the better. Nike chairman Phil Knight called Joe his hero and defended Joe, bringing the crowd to their feet.

In an emotional speech that concluded the memorial service, Jay Paterno shared his last words to his father: "Dad, you won. You did all you could do. You've done enough. We all love you. You won. You can go home now."

Paterno series, 4 of 4; see also photos from January 23, 24, and 25.