Love For VB: Remembering Five Years Since May 31, 2019

As the five-year commemoration of May 31 approaches, we invite the community to join us in our plans for remembering the victims of this tragedy. 

Five-Year Remembrance Ceremony 

Gather and remember those we lost and lift up survivors and those still healing. On this milestone year of remembrance, we will dedicate the site of the future 5/31 Memorial. The event also will include a moment of silence, reading of names and moments for reflection. Attendees are invited to share memories, thoughts and sentiments on biodegradable paper to be buried on the site.  

The ceremony will be 4 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at the future memorial site near Building 30, 2508 Princess Anne Road. It will be livestreamed on virginiabeach.gov/media and the City’s Facebook page. The event is free and open to the public.

Parking is limited close to the ceremony site. For those attending the ceremony, street parking is available near Building 30. Parking also is available at Building 6, 2512 George Mason Drive, where shuttles can take attendees to the ceremony and back.

Moment of Silence 

Individuals can also show “Love for VB” by participating in a moment of silence on Friday, May 31, at 4:06 p.m., the time the first 911 call was received. Individuals are asked to pause wherever they are at that time. 

“Love For VB”  

As in past years, the Love For VB symbol — the forget-me-not-flower — is prevalent around the city. 

• The Love For VB flower is front and center at the site for the future 5/31 Memorial, along with renderings of what is to come.
• The forget-me-not is again painted at Mount Trashmore Park on the front of the hill just below the City seal. Blue lights also will illuminate the skies on May 31 in remembrance of those we lost.
• The Love For VB symbol is displayed in the “Love” sign at the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center. 
• Remembrance flags featuring the Love For VB flower are flying at more than 40 locations citywide. 
• Various locations, including Building 30, the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Greenwich and Lesner bridges, will light up blue in remembrance.

Remembrance and reflection are a personal experience for many. Here are a few ways you can remember in your own way and show “Love For VB.” 

• Wear blue, the color of remembrance, on May 31. 
• Add a “Love For VB” Facebook frame to your profile picture. There are two new ones to choose from, along with options from previous years. 
• Gain the therapeutic benefits of coloring by completing one of the new coloring sheets and place it somewhere visible for all to see. Full color options are also available. 

In observance, the departments previously located in former Building 2 will modify operations on May 31. The departments of Planning, Public Utilities, Public Works and Information Technology will close at 3 p.m. For departmental information, visit virginiabeach.gov. 

For more information about the ceremony, visit LoveForVB.com.

• Love For VB