"Life keeps giving me examples of collective behavior,"" Lewis says.

Lewis leans back in his chair so his feet are dangling and relates how May 4 was a classic example of crowd behavior.

Lewis says there are always three groups: the active core, the cheerleaders, and the observers.

"The active core were those around the bell," Lewis says. "The cheerleaders were chanting 'Green Pigs. Police off campus."

"The active core was leading the cheers whenever anything would happen (that they saw as a win). It is an apt metaphor for a college game. Conflict is often conceived as a game."

In studying and writing about May 4, Lewis is not only helping himself move beyond it, but helping those around him. His commitment to this healing is commended by others.

"I did my share, but somehow Jerry went a step beyond," Gargan says. "(He) would be called upon year after year to represent, to stand with them (students) on issues that weren't terribly popular."

One of the ways he stood by May 4 was to help start the candlelight vigil.

"It allows people who are very different to come together," Lewis says. "They can learn, mourn, meet old friends. I hope the vigil lasts or the next 50 years."

But as the soldiers reached the Pagoda, the men on the right flank of the skirmish line suddenly turned together and opened fire. I later read that of the 70 or so guardsmen on the hill, 28 had fired 67 bullets; more than half the men fired up into the air or straight into the ground. Shocked, I saw flashes that from my Army days that told me the terrible truth: Those are real bullets!" Diving for cover, I forced myself to stay calm. The students would need clear-headed help.