Virginia Tech 'Day of Remembrance' 10 Years Later

BLACKSBURG, VA — Easter Sunday will dawn as something of a paradoxical paradigm for anyone even remotely connected to the mass shootings at Virginia Tech 10 years ago that left 33 people dead, including the shooter. And that's because Easter this year happens to fall on April 16, the day of the shootings — April 16, 2007. No resurrection here.

But the school carefully has crafted a series of events this weekend to commemorate this 10th anniversary of those who died at the hands of Seung Hui Cho, of Chantilly. There's a concert Friday, a run Saturday and a candle-lighting Sunday — all of which will have various offshoots that reference those whose lives literally were gunned down.

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A recent article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch took a long look at how the campus coped then and how it copes 10 years later.

Information on those who were killed can be found here.

Here's a rundown of events scheduled for this weekend, provided by Virginia Tech:

Friday, April 14

• 7 p.m. — Performance in Remembrance — Moss Arts Center All members of the community are invited to attend a performance to commemorate and reflect on the lives lost on April 16, 2007, at Virginia Tech. The program will feature the Virginia Tech Wind Ensemble and Choirs and the student-led Contemporary Dance Ensemble, among others. The Moss Arts Center will host a related installation for reflection and remembrance in the Miles C. Horton Jr. and Sherwood Payne Quillen ‘71 Reception Galleries beginning April 12. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, April 15

• 10 a.m. — 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance — Virginia Tech Campus Online registration is now open. For more information please visit the Rec Sports website
• 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. — Community Picnic — Drillfield An event designed for the entire community. Enjoy 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.
• 1 p.m. — First Responder Appreciation Day at Virginia Tech Baseball — English Field at Union Park Please join the Virginia Tech community to show appreciation for our first responders, public safety and medical personnel as the Virginia Tech baseball team takes on the University of Virginia. Admission is free for all fans.
• Other Virginia Tech Athletic Events: Softball will take on Louisville in a doubleheader beginning at noon at Tech Softball Park, and Women's Tennis will play N.C. State at 3 p.m. in the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center. Admission is free.

Sunday, 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. The Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes. The candle will remain lit for 24 hours.
• 9:43 a.m. — Wreath Laying and Moment of Silence — April 16 Memorial
• 2:30 p.m. — University Commemoration — April 16 Memorial A university-wide commemoration event 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.
• 7:30 p.m. — Candlelight Vigil — April 16 Memorial A candlelight vigil will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial to recognize the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives on April 16, 2007. The event is being planned by Virginia Tech students representing a variety of student organizations. Candles will be provided.
• 11:59 p.m. — Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle — April 16 Memorial Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will stand guard for 32 minutes prior to the 11:59 p.m. extinguishing. The candle will be extinguished, and the light will be carried back into Burruss Hall, representing the commitment to never forget.

Image via Virginia Tech