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2012 Day of Remembrance Events

The 2012 Day of Remembrance activities will honor the 32 people who lost their lives on April 16, 2007. The following schedule of public events will be held on the Virginia Tech campus.

Monday, April 16

  • Midnight: Lighting of Ceremonial Candle – April 16 Memorial
    A candle will be lit by members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and representatives of the student body at midnight. The Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes. The candle will remain lit for 24 hours.
  • 11:30 AM: Community Picnic – Drillfield
    An event designed for the entire community. There will be food from local vendors provided at the event; however we encourage you to bring additional food and picnic blankets if possible.
  • 7:30 PM: University Commemoration and Candlelight Vigil – April 16 Memorial
    A university-wide commemoration and candlelight vigil will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial. The program will recognize the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives on April 16, 2007. The event will be coordinated by Virginia Tech students representing a variety of student organizations. Please note: In order to prepare for the university commemoration and candlelight vigil, the April 16 Memorial will close at 6 PM It will reopen at the conclusion of the ceremony.
  • 11:59 PM: Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle – April 16 Memorial
    The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes prior to the 11:59 PM extinguishing. The candle will be extinguished and the light will be carried back into Burruss Hall, representing the commitment to never forget.

2012 Expressions of Remembrance

Saturday, April 14

  • 10 AM – Noon: Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention Open House – 2nd Floor Norris Hall
    Visit the CPSVP in Norris Hall, learn about our academic and student programs, and meet our affiliates from the Hokie community and beyond. Light refreshments will be offered.
  • 9 AM – 5 PM: Memorial Exhibit and Slide Show – Holtzman Alumni Center
    The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will display in the Alumni Museum selected memorial items presented to Virginia Tech from other schools and universities in the days and weeks following April 16, 2007. A memorial slideshow, depicting images taken around the world that represented the outpouring of support after the tragedy, will be shown in Assembly Hall from 1:30 PM – 5 PM
  • 10 AM – 9 PM: “Healing Through Art” - Perspectives Gallery
  • 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Remembrance Through the Arts Showcase - Haymarket Theater, Squires
    This is a variety show organized by the Contemporary Dance Ensemble. We dedicate the performance to the beloved Hokies we lost on April 16th, 2007. We welcome all to join us to honor those we lost and celebrate the resilience of the Virginia Tech community. Some featured guest this year will be DCVT, DOP, Soulstice and Expressions.
  • Quiet Places for Reflection
    Read descriptions on each place and find them on the campus map.

Monday, April 16

  • 8 AM – 7 PM: Memorial Exhibit and Slide Show – Holtzman Alumni Center
    The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will display in the Alumni Museum selected memorial items presented to Virginia Tech from other schools and universities in the days and weeks following April 16, 2007. A memorial slideshow, depicting images taken around the world that represented the outpouring of support after the tragedy, will be shown in Assembly Hall.
  • 9 AM – 5 PM: Elizabeth Wallace Pastels of the 32 Hokies lost on April 16, 2007 – G. Burke Johnston Student Center Hallway
    Moved by the tragedy, Ms. Wallace, an artist in California, originally created a set of 32 pastel portraits for each person killed on April 16th, which was either sent to each person’s family or is being kept in storage. Charles Steger commissioned Ms. Wallace to create a second set of pastels for the university community to keep in perpetuity.
  • 9:43 AM: Statewide Moment of Silence. Read the proclamation by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
  • Noon – 2:30 PM: Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention Open House – 2nd Floor Norris Hall
    Visit the CPSVP in Norris Hall, learn about our academic and student programs, and meet our affiliates from the Hokie community and beyond. Light refreshments will be offered.
  • 10 AM – 9 PM: “Healing Through Art” – Perspectives Gallery
    This interactive exhibit will display objects from the April 16th archives as well as invite viewers to participate in an installation they will make using river rocks. All attending will have the chance to create work in the gallery by painting on the rocks and then placing it on the gallery floor in a large spiral: a symbol for eternal life. Prayer flags, origami cranes, a walking stick and river rocks will make up the exhibit, giving the viewer an opportunity to see the craft work created by supporters from around the country. The exhibit will also be open on Sunday, April 15 from 10 AM -7 PM and Tuesday April 17- Saturday April 21: 12 PM to 9 PM
  • Quiet Places for Reflection
    Read descriptions on each place and find them on the campus map.

Please note: More information and details on Expressions of Remembrance will be added as plans are finalized. Please continue to check this site for the latest information.

Related Events

The Research Triangle Chapter will be hosting a 3.2 for 32 Memorial Run/Walk. Join us as we kick off a month of remembrance with a 3.2 for 32 memorial run/walk in honor of fellow Hokies and friends lost in 2007. We’ll gather at Big Boss Brewery then we’ll head out to the Greenway together for the 3.2 mile run/walk. This event is open to all, and those who choose not to run or walk are still encouraged to join us at Big Boss after the run to spend time with other Hokies and friends. Saturday, April 7 at 1:30 PM, Big Boss Brewery, 1249 Wicker Drive, Raleigh, NC.

The Patrick Henry Chapter will host a Virginia Tech for Life Blood Drive at the Reynolds Homestead on April 13, 2012.

The First State (Delaware) Chapter will participate in a Habitat for Humanity Build on April 14, 2012, from 8 AM to 3:30 PM For the last several years, we have volunteered at Habitat as part of our remembrance of the tragedy that happened at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Anyone over the age of 16 is allowed to participate, so younger Hokies are eligible to join us. We will be working on their Vandever Avenue project.

The New Jersey Chapter is participating “Sort by the Tunes”on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 8:30 AM at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ. Come out and support our chapter's "Sort by the Tunes" Hokie Nation Serves initiative. We will enjoy lively tunes while assisting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. You may also bring canned goods to this event to further aid our efforts, so come out and support this great cause! Children under the age of 12, open toe shoes, purses, and bags are NOT allowed in the warehouse at any time. The Alumni Association Board of Directors encourages all members of the Hokie Nation to commit to service hours beyond normal commitments and focus especially during the month of April. The Hokie Nation bonded together after April 2007 more than any time in our history. This bond created a sense of spirit and a momentum of living the university's motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Join in our "Hokie Nation Serves" focus every April and help demonstrate to the world the power of Hokie Pride, Hokie Spirit, and Hokie Tradition.

For the second year in a row, the Portland, Oregon Chapter will be joining Friends of Trees for a tree planting in a neighborhood greenway (aka bike boulevard). We will meet for coffee and doughnuts around 8-8:30 AM at the staging area, but will work in SE Portland. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Denver Hokies will be hosting our 3rd Annual 3.2 for 32 Remembrance Walk/Run on Sunday, April 15. We welcome all Hokies and their friends and families to join us, as we not only reflect back on this tragic event, but also to celebrate life moving forward. Here are the details for this year’s event:

Event: Denver Hokies 3.2 for 32 Remembrance Walk/Run
When: Sunday, 4/15/2012
Time: 11 AM (We’ll meet up between 10:30 AM and 11 AM)
BBQ: Noon
Where: Wash Park (Meet at parking lot @ South High School – 1700 E Louisiana, Denver, CO 80210)

The Chapter will be hosting a barbecue immediately following the event in the South High School parking lot. We’ll have an Orange Canopy up so we’ll be easy to find. Please bring any yard games that you’d like to play. For anyone interested, we may go out for an early afternoon Happy Hour afterwards. For this year’s event, we’ll be conducting a balloon launch in memory of the 32 lives lost on April 16. That will commence at 11 AM sharp, prior to the Remembrance Walk/Run, so make sure that you get there early. We’ve had many attendees in the past ask if we were conducting any type of fundraiser in conjunction with this event. The Denver Hokies will be partnering with the Immediate Help Fund group this year. This fund, established by a group of VT alumni, was set up to help out the victims and families involved in future catastrophic events, like those that took place in Blacksburg on April 16. I’ll have information about this fund and how you can donate (if you choose to) to this cause.

The National Capital Region Chapter is hosting its annual INOVA Blood Drive at the Northern Virginia Graduate Center in Falls Church on April 16 from 1 PM to 7 PM in Room 100. We will remember the victims from the shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, by donating blood to those in need throughout the region. Donors must weigh 110 pounds and be 17 years old. You do not need to know your blood type beforehand and there are no dietary restrictions on the day you donate.

3rd Annual Research Triangle Chapter Blood Drive - Come help us represent Virginia Tech by donating blood with us on the 5th anniversary of the 2007 shootings. Please be sure to RSVP and sign up for a specific time slot for this event. Monday, April 16, 2012, 2:30 PM - 6:45 PM, North Raleigh Blood Donation Center, 8301 Bandford Way, Raleigh, NC27616.

Join the Shenandoah Chapter and American Red Cross for the 5th annual blood drive to honor those lost on April 16, 2007. Participate in our Hokie Nation Serves focus each April and help demonstrate to the world the power of Hokie Pride, Hokie Spirit, and Hokie Tradition. Volunteers are needed to staff the Blood Drive (greeters, walkers, and working the canteen). Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross.

The Chicago Chapter will be volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House on April 22, 2012. VT alumni in the area will be going to one of the Ronald McDonald centers in the city to prepare meals, and the Chapter has provided a link to alumni in the region who are interested in providing donations for the event. The Chicago Chapter participated in the same event last year, and it was a wonderful event with large success. We are hoping to have another great event this year.

The Cincinnati Chapter will participate in the Build the Walls for Habitat for Humanity Project on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM at Christ Church at Mason. This is a family-friendly service event.

Prior events on Saturday, April 14

8 AM: 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance – Virginia Tech Campus

A 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance will start on the south side of the Drillfield near the War Memorial gym. Participants may run or walk. There is no cost to walk or run in the event.

  • 9:30 AM: Photo on the steps of Burruss Hall

12:30 PM: “Thank You” Baseball Barbecue – English Field

Following the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance, please join the Virginia Tech community for a “Thank You” Baseball Barbecue to show appreciation for our first responders, public safety, and medical personnel at English Field as the Hokies take on the University of Miami. Wear your 3.2 T-shirt or run bib to get a free meal starting at 12:30 PM Food is available on a first come, first served basis. Game starts at 2 PM; admission is free for all fans.