Love For VB: Remembering May 31, 2019

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

Six-Year Remembrance Ceremony

Gather and remember those we lost and lift up survivors and all those still healing. An intimate, in-person gathering will be 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, and include a moment of silence and reading of names. Since the location of the future 5/31 memorial is an active construction site, the event will be held at the Mary C. Russo Volunteer Recognition Gazebo, located behind City Hall, Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Drive. The event is free and open to the public.

“Love For VB” Around Town

Around the City, the Love for VB symbol — the forget-me-not-flower — will be prevalent.

• The forget-me-not flower will again be painted at Mount Trashmore Park on the front façade of the hill just below the City seal.
• 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 is a new one 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.  

Moment of Silence

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

For more information, visit LoveForVB.com.

• Love For VB