Planning underway for Virginia Tech 2017 Day of Remembrance

Virginia Tech has begun planning the 2017 Day of Remembrance.

The Office of Alumni Relations is leading those planning efforts and input from all members of the Virginia Tech community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, are residents, and members of families affected by the 2007 tragedy, have been a part of the planning process.

“We will come together as a community to remember the 32 wonderful members of our university community who were taken from us 10 years ago,” said Matthew M. Winston Jr., senior associate vice president of alumni relations. “The entire Hokie Nation will always honor and treasure each of their lives. We will strive to support one another, dedicating ourselves to serving others, whether here in Blacksburg or in communities elsewhere within the commonwealth, across the nation, or around the world.”

Though a complete schedule of events is still several weeks away, elements of the observance are taking shape. Some events will be held in the weeks leading up to the April 16, 2017 observance.

Information on remembrance events will be posted to the We Remember website by the start of the spring semester. Remembrance events organized by Virginia Tech alumni chapters in their local communities will also be included on the We Remember website.

In 2017, April 16 will fall on Easter Sunday. That day will begin and end at the April 16 Memorial with the traditional lighting and the extinguishing of the ceremonial candle. The university plans to hold a commemoration ceremony that afternoon and a candlelight vigil that evening, also at the April 16 Memorial.

The university will hold the 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance on campus for the eighth consecutive year, but the date is yet to be determined. A community picnic will be a part of this event.

In past years, alumni chapters across the United States and abroad have held events to mark the Day of Remembrance. Past events have included 3.2 mile walks and runs, community picnics, blood drives, memorial services, and community service projects.