We Remember
About this site
The We Remember website provides information about the 32 students and faculty members who were tragically taken from their loved ones and our community on April 16, 2007. They ranged in age from 18 to 76 and represented a variety of academic areas and faith and ethnic groups. We hope that you are able to reflect on the tremendous promise each of them embodied for our world with creativity, intelligence, humility, and humanity.
This site also provides information about online resources, latest news and events, information about the April 16 Memorial, and links to previous years' events and support information. Live for 32.
Remembrance events
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Midnight
Lighting of Ceremonial Candle — April 16 Memorial. Watch video
The ceremonial candle will be lit by representatives of the student body and the names of the 32 Hokies lost on April 16, 2007, will be read followed by the playing of TAPS. Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard. The candle will remain lit for 24 hours.
Flags on all state and local buildings throughout the commonwealth will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on April 16.
9:43 a.m.
Wreath Laying and Moment of Silence – April 16 Memorial
Members of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad will assist President Sands and Dr. Laura Sands place wreaths at the April 16 Memorial.
11:27 p.m.
Cadet Guard – April 16 Memorial
Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard at the April 16 Memorial for 32 minutes.
11:59 p.m.
Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle – April 16 Memorial
The candle will be extinguished and the light will be carried back into Burruss Hall, representing Virginia Tech’s commitment to never forget.
Prior Events
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A Tribute to Virginia Tech: Selections of Poetry from the April 16 Condolence Archives
Digital exhibit - Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives online. See the collection.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
9 a.m.
3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance – Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus.
Online registration is now open. For more information please visit the Rec Sports website.
1:30 p.m.
Remembrance Service – War Memorial Chapel
- Seating will begin at 1:15 p.m.
- No recording equipment
Virginia Tech alumni chapter events
- When: Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Denver South High School , 1700 E. Louisiana Ave ., Denver, CO 80210
- Register online.
- Additional details: The Denver Hokies will remember the 32 Virginia Tech students and faculty members who were tragically taken from their loved ones and our community on April 16, 2007. Gather at Denver South High School parking lot, in front of the main building entrance, located across from the Southeast corner of Washington Park. Family and friends are all invited. The chapter will set up a tailgate and provide an assortment of catered sandwiches and veggies. Leading up to the event we’ll send out a potluck sign up to round out the buffet. A group picture will kick off the event at 11 a.m. Lunch will be ready and waiting after the walk/run. If you have questions, email Chapter President Mark Hojegian at Mark@DenverHomeLifestyles.com.
- When: Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m.
- Where: Baldwin Park, New Broad and Jake streets, Orlando, FL 32814
- Registration: Register online
- Additional details: The chapter will gather to walk, remember, and honor those lost.
- When: Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m.
- Where: Bullfrog Valley Park, 400 Bullfrog Valley Road, Hummelstown, PA
- Registration: Register online by April 4.
- Additional details: Walk or run at your own pace. Parking is available on site. Dress appropriately for the weather and walking or running on a paved trail.
- When: Saturday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel St., Columbia, SC 29201
- Registration: Register online
- Additional details: Meet at the entrance of the park (south entrance). Afterwards participants will head to Bierkeller, which is walking distance from the park.
- When: Saturday, April 19 at 9:30 a.m.
- Where: Meet at The Larder, 89 Crystal Lake Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841
- Registration: Register online. RSVP by April 18.
- Additional details: The group will walk to the North Augusta Greeneway and have brunch at The Larder following the walk. Find more details on the Facebook event.
- When: Saturday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
- Registration: Register online by April 10.
- Additional details: Meet at Academic Building One to remember the lives of the 32 students and faculty taken from us in 2007. This event is rain or shine, and all ages are welcome, as well as four-legged friends. The event will begin and end at the Innovation Campus with a run/walk down Potomac Avenue, connecting with the Mount Vernon Trail via the Potomac Yard Trail. The trail is fairly flat, with one small section that requiring stairs or a ramp. A map of the path will be provided in the confirmation email.
- When: Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m.
- Where: Cupid's Span, The Embarcadero and Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94117
- Registration: Register online
- Additional details: Run/walk/bike 3.2 miles in honor of those lost April 16, 2007. After the run, the chapter will gather nearby (Ferry Building, etc).
- When: Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: River's Bend Community, 12300 Hogans Alley, Chester, VA 23836
- Registration: Register online
- Additional details: Show your Virginia Tech pride and honor lost. Meet at the parking lot of the pool in the River's Bend Community in Chester. The walk will begin at 6:30 p.m.
- When: Saturday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m.
- Where: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, 2400 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore, MD 21230
- Registration: Register online
- Additional details: Free parking. Gather outside of the main building for a moment of silence and reading of names.
- When: Wednesday, April 16 at 6 p.m.
- Where: The Brick, 24 Ann St., Suite A, Charleston, SC 29403
- Registration: Register online
- Additional details: The starting and ending location will be at The Brick. The chapter will meet at 6 p.m. and start at 6:30 p.m. This is a remembrance run/walk, not a formally organized race. Everyone will run/walk at their own risk. All are welcome. The course is 3.2 miles, starting at The Brick heading east down Ann Street, turn left on Murray Boulevard, and continue down King Street, turn left on Broad to East Bay, turn left at Calhoun to Meeting Street, turn right on Meeting Street, finishing back at The Brick.
- When: Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m.
- Where: Fifty West, 7605 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227
- Registration: Register online. The deadline to register is April 10.
- Additional details: Meet in the parking lot of Fifty West and walk or run along the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
- When: Wednesday, April 16 at 6 p.m.
- Where: 7272 West Green Lake Drive N., Seattle, WA 98115; Green Lake Parking Lot at West Green Lake Drive N. and Stone Avenue N.
- Registration: Register online.
- Additional details: Meet on the west side of Green Lake at the parking lot near the Seattle Public Theater for the walk/run. The loop at Green Lake is about 3.2 miles and accessible for runners, walkers, and wheels. This event is child and pet friendly. If you're unable to run/walk, please join the chapter around 6:30-6:40 p.m. to grab ice cream at Ben and Jerry's at 7900 East Green Lake Drive N., Suite 104, Seattle, WA 98103. Ice cream is not sponsored by the chapter. The event is rain or shine.
- When: Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.
- Where: Heyday Brewing, 5301 Tin Roof Way, Raleigh, NC 27616
- Registration: Learn more online.
- Additional details: The walk will start at 2 p.m. with drinks, food and fellowship following the walk.
- When: Saturday, April 12
- Where: 340 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 120, Charlotte, NC 28203
- Registration: Learn more online.
- Additional details: This event is open to all Hokies and there will be plenty of parking. Participants will run/walk on the Light Rail path starting and ending at the Benny’s in South End. After the event, the chapter will provide a little taste of home with a slice of Benny’s Pizza to all participants. Please RSVP on Facebook.
- When: Saturday, April 12 at noon
- Where: Embrace within the Boston Common, 139 Tremont St., Boston, MA
- Registration: Learn more online.
- Additional details: Meet around 11:45 a.m. at the Embrace within the Boston Common. From there the group will run/walk three laps. The exact route and additional details (including rain date) will be posted online or for more information contact Randolph Abutin at rmabutin@vt.edu.
- When: Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m.
- Where: Ridley Creek State Park, Pavilion 14, Sycamore Mills Road, Media, PA 19063
- Registration: Learn more online.
- Additional details: Gather, remember, and honor those lost on April 16. Meet at Pavilion 14, rain or shine.
- When: Sunday, April 13 at 10 a.m. PT
- Where: Wonderland Ocean Pub, 5083 Santa Monica Ave., Suite 2B, San Diego, CA 92107
- Registration: Learn more online.
- Additional details: Meet at 10 a.m. at Wonderland for the run/walk. The route is the same as last year and will end back at Wonderland. Afterwards join the chapter for a brunch/lunch and fundraiser supporting mental health programs in our local schools. The fundraiser will go from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.