To honor the 32 students and faculty members who lost their lives 12 years ago, Virginia Tech will observe the 2019 Day of Remembrance and the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance.
On Tuesday, April 16, as in previous years, the Day of Remembrance will begin at 12:01 a.m. with the ceremonial candle lighting at the April 16 Memorial located in front of Burruss Hall on Drillfield Drive. The names of the 32 individuals who died on April 16, 2007, will be presented to honor and remember their lives, followed by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets standing in watch for the first 32 minutes of the day.
At 9:43 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the April 16 Memorial and will be followed by a campus-wide moment of silence.
Other events will be held Tuesday, including opportunities for quiet reflection and exhibits of memorials, tributes, and gifts received in 2007. Information on all events will be posted on the We Remember website.
The 2019 Day of Remembrance will end when the ceremonial candle is extinguished at 11:59 p.m. Corps members will again stand in watch for 32 minutes prior to the extinguishing, and once the light is extinguished, the candle will be carried back into Burruss Hall, representing the university’s commitment to never forget.
On Saturday, April 13, Virginia Tech will host the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance for the 11th consecutive year. This year’s run will be begin at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Participants will start on the Drillfield near War Memorial Gym and finish near the April 16 Memorial.
Preregistration for this event is strongly encouraged; visit the Department of Recreational Sports website for registration and event information.
Also on Saturday, the university will hold an interfaith service at War Memorial Chapel that is open to the public. Seating will begin at 1:30 p.m. for the 2 p.m. event. No late entries will be permitted once the service begins.
Several other university events, including Spring Family Weekend, the spring football game (kickoff is 4 p.m.), and several other intercollegiate sporting events, will be held on April 13. Parking and transportation information has been posted online to help those attending any event that weekend. Please visit that web page for the latest information on parking, road closures, and other related information.
In addition to events in Blacksburg, many Virginia Tech alumni chapters will host events or runs in their communities. Information will be posted on the We Remember website as details are confirmed.
Event logistics are being managed by an implementation committee composed of university staff from service departments across campus and coordinated by the Office of Alumni Relations.
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Chris Graham
