Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell ordered flags in the state flown at half mast on Saturday to commemorate “Virginia Tech Remembrance Day,” the fourth anniversary of the slaying of 32 people on the Blacksburg campus.
At 9:43 a.m., there will be an official moment of silence, after which the Capitol Square Bell Tower will be rung once for each victim. At 4:00 p.m., McDonnell is scheduled to lead a state ceremony at Virginia’s Pathway to Liberty in front of the State Capitol Visitor Center, where he will deliver remarks and dedicate bricks on the Pathway for each victim.
First Lady Maureen McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will join the governor at the event, which will take place in the Exhibit Area at the Capitol in case of rain.
The full text of the governor’s “Virginia Tech Remembrance Day” proclamation is below:
WHEREAS, on the morning of April 16, 2007, a tragedy of immense magnitude and senselessness befell the campus of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and
WHEREAS, the lives of 32 individuals from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University were hastily taken, leaving absences that will never be filled and a profound sense of sorrow in the lives of those impacted; and
WHEREAS, the community continues to mourn those who perished, we also honor those individuals wounded as they individually and collectively strive to prevail through this tragedy; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and thank local, state, and federal first responders who courageously answered the call of duty in an effort to prevent the further loss of life; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia join with those from across the country and around the world in their thoughts and prayers to honor the cherished memories of those who lost their lives and those wounded; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize April 16, 2011, as VIRGINIA TECH REMEMBRANCE DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
