As the Virginia Tech community prepares to honor the lives of the 32 students and faculty members gunned down by a mentally ill student, Gov. Bob McDonnell has officially declared April 16, 2011 as “Virginia Tech Remembrance Day.”
The governor has ordered all flags in the commonwealth to be flown at half-staff throughout the day.
McDonnell will participate in several events in Richmond to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the tragic shootings.
Starting at 9:43am, there will be a moment of silence, followed by ringing of the Capitol Square Bell Tower. The bell will toll once for each of the 32 victims.
Later in the day at 4:00 pm, McDonnell will lead a state ceremony at Virginia’s Pathway to Liberty in front of the state Capitol Visitor Center, dedicating bricks on the pathway for each of the victims.
Virginia Tech also has several events planned for Saturday, including:
- Ceremonial Candle Lighting at midnight
- 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance
- Community Picnic
- University Commemoration & Candlelight Vigil
- Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle at 11:49 pm
