For Hokies, or anyone even remotely associated with Virginia Tech, April 16th is one of those dates–like September 11, 2001 or November 22, 1963–in which the mere mention of the date causes the hearer to be mentally transformed to the exact place and time in which he or she first heard of heart-wrenching news. I remember vividly where I was, watching the live news reports for updates and sending Facebook messages to my friends at Virginia Tech inquiring about their safety. It was a frightening day; even more so for the students, faculty and staff present on campus that day.
Five years have now come and gone. While the wounds remain deep and painful for survivors and the families of the victims–some of my friends still experience flashbacks when they hear the siren on a passing ambulance–Virginia Tech continues to move forward, inventing the future.
Today, 99 percent of the students on-campus that day have graduated and a new “generation” of Hokies are here; students for whom April 16th is a date in history–part of their heritage as Hokies–but not a date that likely provokes a visceral reaction. In fact, for the first time since 2007, Virginia Tech students will be attending classes on April 16th.
That doesn’t mean Virginia Tech has forgotten about the tragedy that befell our otherwise peaceful community five years ago today: commemorative events are going on throughout the day and Gov. Bob McDonnell will be on-hand for a candlelight vigil on the drill field tonight at 7:30, all of which were planned by this new generation of Hokies. What is different, though, is the way this anniversary feels. Whereas preview anniversaries have been largely about remembering the lives of those we lost, this year’s anniversary seems focused not only on commemoration, but also on celebrating the strength and vitality of the Hokie Nation.
Rattled by the fatal shooting of a Virginia Tech police officer just days before Christmas 2011 and forced to relieve unpleasant memories throughout both a civil trial and U.S. Department of Education investigation earlier this year, the Hokie Nation remembers what we endured together. As we look back and see how far we’ve come–arguable stronger and more united than we were before–it’s little wonder that so many Hokies, like the alumna who made this video, are celebrating the resiliency of the Hokie Nation this year.
On a personal note, as a Hokie, thank you all for the love, support and prayers that you sent to my alma mater in her darkest hours. They meant so much at the time, and they still do. I can honestly say, we couldn’t be celebrating how far we’ve come without the support of everyone in this great Commonwealth and beyond–even our friends in Charlottesville.
