Blacksburg, VA - The tributes are underway at Virginia Tech, where students, faculty and others are marking the two year anniversary of April 16th. The events included a commemoration ceremony at noon, where speakers mentioned each victim's name and a little about their lives.

Thousands gathered on the drill field to listen and reflect. Thursday, though, is different from this time a year ago. Students and victims' families tell us they can't help but remember the violence, but now they are moving forward and celebrating life too.

Part of that "moving on" involves the site of most of the shootings, Norris Hall. You'll remember the school re-opened the wing last week, as the new Center for Peace Studies. It was open for tours Thursday afternoon. Thirty people were killed in that building before Seung Hui Cho killed himself two years ago. Something that was in the back of many minds Thursday.

Laying outside Norris Hall was a symbol of remembrance, flowers with a note attached. Inside, you could sense the somber tone of the afternoon as hundreds of visitors walked the hall of the second floor wing. What to do with this hall was a great source of debate in the weeks and months following the shootings.

We spoke with Tracey Lane of Narrows. She's the mother of Jarrett Lane who died in the shootings. She joins many who feel this is the best use of the space.  Lane said, "It's very hard you know to go back in to Norris, to know that two years ago we lost a family member Jarrett, who was very dear to us."

Blacksburg resident Bill Finley said, "The feeling was wow. This is where people lost their lives, you know, it takes you back."

Thursday’s events kicked off with a 5k Remembrance Run/Walk. More than 3,000 people had registered, but 800 more signed up Thursday morning before the race bring the total to around 4,300.

Organizers released 32 white balloons for each victim, then thousands of maroon and orange balloons. Runners say the race was a step forward, not only an opportunity to remember but also a chance to celebrate what is yet to come.

Masters student, Andrew Leedom, said, "It was amazing. I didn't want to start the race because I just wanted to stand there."  Senior Zach Frye said, "I think it's a good way for everyone to come out and really support our 32 that lost their lives as well as come together as a community."

After the run, students split up to attend events that personally commemorated each victim.

 Email To Friend