2009 Day of Remembrance in the National Capital Region

The Virginia Tech Community in the National Capital Region honored those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the campus tragedy of April 16, 2007 in a number of ways yesterday.

At the campus in Old Town Alexandria, a “green giant” magnolia tree was planted on the corner of Patrick and Henry Streets at the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC). The tree was donated by Virginia Tech alum Jim Campbell (Ornamental Horticulture ’74), president of Campbell & Ferrara in Alexandria. Jim Bohland, vice president and executive director, Virginia Tech National Capital Region Operations, offered some thoughts to the group that gathered for the tree planting.

 “It has been two years since tragedy struck our Blacksburg campus. As we gather here on this beautiful spring day it seems worlds ago. And yet we remember it as if it happened yesterday.  Intellectually we know we must continue to move forward, but emotionally we are brought back to that horrific day and the wounds are reopened.  Today we reflect on a cloudy dark past at the same time that we look toward an emerging and bright future. The magnolia tree we plant here today…is a meaningful memorial to those lost and injured on April 16th, 2007.  In the coming years this magnolia will grow to become a magnificent and beautiful tree.  We can never forget those in whose honor it was planted.  But, the tree also affirms that our future is about growth and the contributions we make to society,” said Bohland.

 “We thank you for remembering and gathering here today.  In the true Hokie Spirit, let’s vow to move forward, using the strength we gained from the tragedy to continually serve our communities and our colleagues,” he said. 

In addition to the tree planting, candles in memory of each of the 32 who were killed in the tragedy lined the wall on the side of the WAAC building and candles were lit as their names were read.

At the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church, the National Capital Region (NCR) Virginia Tech Alumni Association sponsored a tribute blood drive through Inova Blood Donor Services. Inova supplies lifesaving blood and blood products to 15 different hospitals in Northern Virginia and the Washington DC metro area and also works with national and international redistribution organizations to get blood where it is most needed The blood drive is part of the VirginiaTechForLife Campaign, a program launched by the university which has spurred congruent blood drives in the month of April with Alumni Associations across America.  (A second blood drive will be held at WAAC, 1001 Prince Street, Alexandria, on Thursday, April 30, from noon to 6 p.m.  To sign up for this drive, email Mike Hill at mahill42@vt.edu with ’blood drive’  in the  subject line.)

More than 80 people signed up for the blood drive at the Northern Virginia Center. There were also quite a number of walk-ins, said Sean Callanan ’02, Community Service Chairman for the NCR Alumni Association, who organized the event. “This is our second annual blood drive and the response has been great.  Our alumni have been very supportive. A number of them have personally expressed to me how pleased they are that the chapter is doing this in remembrance of today,” Callanan said. His dad, Kevin, was among those who donated blood at the center.

A candlelight vigil in front of the building followed the blood drive. The Alumni Association distributed candles to participants at the vigil which included reading the names of the April 16 victims and observing a moment of silence.

A candle burned all day by the Hokie Stone at the front entrance to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, where members of the Virginia Tech community stopped to pay their respects. Many wore Virginia Tech lapel ribbons in honor of those being remembered.

Posted April 17, 2009