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2016 Day of Remembrance events

Saturday, April 16, 2016

  • Midnight: Lighting of Ceremonial Candle – April 16th Memorial
    Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes. The candle will remain lit for 24 hours.
  • 9:43 AM: Moment of Silence – Campus
  • 9:43 AM: 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance - Virginia Tech campus
  • 11 AM: Community Picnic – Note Rain Location: Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires Student Center
    An event designed for the entire community. There will be food from local vendors provided at the event on a first-come, first-served basis; attendees are encouraged to bring additional food and picnic blankets.
  • 11:27 PM: April 16th Memorial
    Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard at the April 16th Memorial for 32 minutes.
  • 11:59 PM: Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle - April 16th Memorial
    Members of 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.

Expressions of Remembrance

Community mindfulness: A space to remember and reflect

Friday, April 15, 2016 | 8 AM - 5 PM
Newman Library, Room 207

The Division of Student Affairs invites the Virginia Tech community to a central space designated for remembrance and quiet reflection. Room 207 in Newman Library will be available from 8 AM to 5 PM on Friday, April 15. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to come at any time during the day to be in community with others as we commemorate April 16, 2007. The room will include an area for mindful reflection and a place to leave written thoughts and creative images. A Hokie Wellness staff member will be present throughout the day, along with a counselor from the Employee Assistance Program. Coffee and tea will be served.

Words of Comfort: An exhibit of letters from around the world in the April 16th Condolence Archives

Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 9 AM - 4 PM,
Newman Library, Multipurpose Room (room 101)

The University Libraries, in partnership with Student Engagement and Campus Life, presents Words of Comfort: An exhibit of letters from around the world in the April 16th Condolence Archives. This exhibit on the first floor of Newman Library highlights letters, children’s cards, and more, created by people from all over the world following April 16. Teachers, students, diplomats, businesses, religious and community groups, and citizens of the world mailed letters, cards, posters, and packages to share their sympathy and offer hope. Items on display represent over 40 countries and every continent selected from the April 16th Condolence Archives maintained by Special Collections, University Libraries. Free and open to the public.

Related Events

CENTRAL FLORIDA

April 16th Remembrance Day Gathering

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 10 AM
Gators Dockside in Baldwin Park (meet at gazebo)

We will have a Remembrance Walk/Run around the lake to honor our fellow Hokie students and teachers lost on April 16, 2007. Join us after the walk/run for lunch at Gator’s Dockside.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

3.2 for 32 Run/Walk and Picnic

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 9 AM
Bullfrog Valley Park, 470 Bullfrog Valley Road, Hummelstown, PA 17013

Join the Central Pennsylvania Hokies for a 3.2 run/walk in remembrance on Saturday, April 16th at 9 AM. The run will kick off at 9:30 AM. Participants are invited to bring their own picnic lunch to enjoy after the run with fellow Hokies.

CHARLESTON

The 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance is on Saturday, April 16th beginning at 9 AM and we will start running at 9:30 AM. Meet near the tall John C. Calhoun statue in Marion Square. We do this annual run through Downtown Charleston to honor the 32 students and teachers we lost on April 16, 2007. Please come out in your maroon and orange to run, walk, or show your support. If you don't want to do the run, feel free to meet us after at the Charleston Saturday Farmer's Market. You do not need to sign up and there is no cost to participate. Everyone is welcome - you do not need to be an alumni. This is not an "organized event" - no blocked off roads, no signs, no race bibs, etc. Everyone will run/walk at their own risk, as you would running downtown on any other day.

CHICAGO

3.2 for 32 Remembrance Walk/Run

The Chicago Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association invites you to our Day of Remembrance events. Join us in celebrating the lives of the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives on April 16, 2007. We will have a 3.2 mile walk/run along the Lakefront path starting and ending at Hopsmith Tavern. Following the walk/run please stick around for bunch at Hopsmith Tavern as we remember friends and family. Hopsmith Tavern is located at 15 West Division St. Walk/run begins at 10:00 AM and brunch begins at 11 AM Parking and Transportation: Located 2 blocks from the Clark/Division Red line stop. Street parking available.

DENVER

Annual 3.2 for 32 Remembrance Walk/Run

Sunday, April 17, 2016 | 10 AM
Denver South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, CO 80210

The Denver Hokies will be hosting our Annual 3.2 for 32 Remembrance Walk/Run on Saturday, April 18th at Washington Park; please invite/bring your family, friends, kids, and dogs (on leashes). This event will begin at 10:00 AM, with lunch being served at noon. For this year’s event, we are following a potluck format. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for picnic lunch.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE

3.2 for 32 Walk/Run in Remembrance

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 11:30 AM – 2 PM
Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Alumni and friends are invited to gather at the pavilion and complete the one-mile loop, walk or run – your choice, then gather back at the shelter for a BBQ. The chapter will provide the main dish – hamburgers, hot dogs – but guests are asked to bring a side dish to share.

The pavilion at Centennial Park is located near the corner of 28th Avenue North and Poston Avenue in historic Centennial Park. Parking is available along Park Avenue as well as within Centennial.

NEW ENGLAND

3.2 for 32 Walk/Run in Remembrance

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 10 AM
Boston Esplanade (meet at Lederman Park)

ORANGE COUNTY

3.2K Run, Walk, or Bike and Beach Bonfire

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 3 PM
Huntington Beach Pier

Join the Orange County Hokies for our April 16th Remembrance Event: 3.2K Run, Walk, or Bike and Beach Bonfire in Huntington Beach. We will gather at the Huntington Beach Pier at 3 PM to start the 3.2K Run, Walk, or Bike and then afterwards celebrate the lives of the 32 Hokies with a bonfire on the beach.

PHILADELPHIA

3.2 for 32 Walk in Remembrance

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 2 PM - 5 PM
Lower Perkiomen Valley Park in Oaks, PA

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association is hosting a walk/run in memory of the victims of the April 16, 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech. The course will include 2 distances – a 3.2 mile (just over a 5K) and a 3.2K. The event will take place on the flat paved trail along the Perkiomen Creek and the Schuykill River. Light refreshments will be provided. This a family and friend-friendly event (including your 4-legged friends). We hope you can join your fellow Hokies in remembering. Please wear your Maroon and Orange to show support.

RICHMOND

Blood Drive

Friday, April 15, 2016 | 11 AM - 5 PM
Virginia Tech Richmond Center, 2810 North Parham Road (3rd floor) in Richmond, Va.

The 2016 Day of Remembrance Blood Drive with Virginia Blood Services is scheduled for Friday, April 15, 2016 from 11 AM until 5 PM at the Virginia Tech Richmond Center, 2810 North Parham Road (3rd floor) in Richmond, Va.

SHENANDOAH

9th Annual Memorial Blood Drive

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 9 am - 3 PM
Youth Development Center, 3 Battaile Drive, Winchester, VA 22602

Join the Shenandoah Hokies as we honor those lost and injured in April 16, 2007. This will be our 8th annual blood drive in conjunction with the Red Cross and Chick-Fil-A.

TIDEWATER

April 16 Memorial Service

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 11 AM
Hampton Roads Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 1444 Diamond Spring Road, Virginia Beach

You’re invited to join other Tidewater Hokies for a short memorial service. There will be brief remarks and a candle light vigil. Please feel free to wear your Hokie finest. A special thank you to the Hampton Roads Tree Growers Association for their donation of the lovely memorial tree.

WACO

3.2 for 32 Remembrance Run

Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 10 AM

Join your fellow Hokies for a 5k run to remember those lost on April 16, 2007, and lunch to discuss the new Waco-Fort Hood Alumni Chapter. 3.2 Mile Walk/run at Pepper Creek Trail, Temple, TX. Lunch to follow at 3 West Alehouse & Grill for those who want to join. Families are welcome and lunch is optional and self-pay.