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Virginia Tech Day of Remembrance

UPDATED 11:35

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Thousands gathered on Virginia Tech's main lawn for a candlelight vigil to honor 32 people slain by a student gunman on campus two years ago.

The vigil began at dusk Thursday to cap a daylong series of events honoring those slain by Seung-Hui Cho in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history on April 16, 2007.

School President Charles Steger says 7,000 candles were ordered for the vigil.

It was held at the school's memorial, which has stones for each victim near the main administration building.

As the name of each shooting victim was read, a candle was lighted from a memorial candle that had been burning all day and placed in front of the stone bearing that person's name.

UPDATED 10:41 p.m.

Two families have filed suit against the state over the killings, today was the last day to do so.

Relatives of Julie Pryde and Erin Peterson were the only families who did not agree to a settlement with the state last June.

They say the school mishandled the situation.

Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker says he's aware of the lawsuits.

UPDATED 4:33 p.m.

It's a day that brings back much sadness for our region.

The Virginia Tech community gathered on the drillfrield to pause and remember the tragedy that took place there two years ago.

Everyone had their own way of dealing.

For some who were here two years ago, the memories came flooding back in a sorrowful way.

Others tried to view this anniversay with celebration of life.

It's been the Hokie nation's meeting place for healing and on this two year anniversary, hundreds returned to this place again with heavy hearts to remember those taken too soon.

Some survivors also took part in this year's commemoration.

And in the sea of maroon and orange there were plenty of hugs, heads bowed low and tears still.

"I wouldn't say it's easier. It's still really hard because it's really fresh in our memories for those of us who were here. It's not something we're ever going to be able to forget or ever be able to stop thinking about," says student Elizabeth Kendall.

Even though lots of students on campus now weren't here two years ago, many made this ceremony a priority because they say it's now part of the Hokie legacy.

"I know it was really a tough day for all of them and we see that pain through everybody and no matter what we'll never know what that's like, but we feel like it's important to support our fellow peers," says freshman Ashton Ogden.

"It's an important day for everybody, but also just to honor those who were lost and the people who fought so hard in the classrooms to save as many people as they could," says student Katie Samsen.

Classes were caneled Thursday and plenty of activities scheduled into the evening.

Early in the day, more than 4,500 people laced up their shoes and hit the pavement for the first Run in Remembrance.

A moment of silence followed by the release of 3,000 balloons kicked off the 3.2 mile run, or 32 for the 32 killed that day.

Runners and walkers wore tags to show who they were running for.

After lunch, Tech hosted other activities throughout campus.

One of the most extensive was a display of archived items from April 16th.

These were items sent to the university in the days and weeks following the tragedy.

Another display called Images of Hope ran throughout the afternoon and showcased pictures of hope, recovery and resilience.

Relatives and friends of those who died on April 16th continue to honor their memories in many different ways.

The family of Narrows native Jarrett Lane created a memorial fund in his honor.

The fund will provide financial assistance to Giles County students involved in academic, athletic and leadership programs.

The inaugural Jarrett Lane Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled May 9th at Castle Rock Golf Course.

To learn more about the Jarrett Lane Memorial Fund, click here.

UPDATED: 12:30 p.m.

Virginia Tech is holding "University Remembrance" at the April 16 Memorial.  Following the remembrance, there will be an informal picnic on the Drillfield.

Beginning at 1 p.m. "Expressions of Remembrance" will be held at a number of locations on Tech's campus. 

UPDATED: Thursday @ 11:55 a.m.

Over 4,500 people signed up to run the 3.2 mile course.  Before the race got underway, a moment of silence was held near Torgerson Bridge.

The race began Thursday morning with the release of 32 white balloons in memory of those killed on April 16, 2007, by Seung-Hui Cho, who also took his own life. Runners then released hundreds of balloons in maroon and orange, the school colors.

Randy Sterne, father of injured student Kevin Sterne, said the race was an uplifting beginning to the day's events.

A noon ceremony will honor the accomplishments of the 27 students and five faculty members killed.

Events also include an open house in a new peace center where some of the shootings occurred. A candlelight vigil as night falls will close out the memorials.

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The Virginia Tech community is commemorating this two year mark of the April 16th tragedy.

An 18 person steering committee planned all of the on campus activities for this two year anniversary.

The day of remembrance began at the memorial at midnight with the lighting of a ceremonial candle. It will be guarded the entire day by the Corps. of Cadets.

As flowers were placed by each of the 32 stones at the April 16th memorial, workers lined up chairs on the drill field to remember the students and faculty who lost their lives that day.

"I think a lot of the students who were here two years ago want to come out and it will give new students a chance to learn about what actually transpired here two years ago," says VT Ameridus Professor Richard Neves.

"There was a group of people after the 16th. They went around and gave free hugs and really helped out the community, so my friend Whitney and I decided to make it an official yearly thing," says student Bryce Carter.

There are dozens of things planned for the two year anniversary and survivor Katelyn Carney came back to Tech a day early to see her German instructor, Jamie Bishop's art on display.

"Before his passing I hadn't known about this artistic world he had engulfed himself in," says April 16th survivor Katelyn Carney.

Carney is also one of 18 on the steering committee who planned all the on-campus activities for the anniversary.

"I'll take the strength and courage and turn it into preserving with this anniversary and the couple years to come," says Carney.

The university has canceled all classes for this two year anniversary. The evening will end with a candlelight vigil.