Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, on the afternoon of May 31, 2019, a senseless and unfathomable tragedy struck the Virginia Beach Municipal Center and the Virginia Beach area; and

WHEREAS, the lives of 12 members of the Virginia Beach community were taken without warning, creating an everlasting void in the hearts and minds of peers, friends, and family who feel their absence each and every day; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes and thanks the local, regional, state, and federal first responders who courageously answered the call of duty in an effort to prevent further loss of life, and who tended to the long-term needs of the Virginia Beach community in the aftermath of this tragedy; and

WHEREAS, Victims Services staff have coordinated a crisis response effort for the one-year anniversary of the Virginia Beach shooting and responders are on call all weekend to provide support and assistance; and

WHEREAS, in honor of all those killed or injured on May 31, 2019, we are Virginia Beach Strong and we recommit ourselves to doing all we can to protect our public and to keep all Virginia communities safe; and

WHEREAS, the greater Virginia Beach community, and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia join with those from across the country and around the world in offering their continued thoughts and prayers as we remember and honor the cherished memories and heroism of those who lost their lives,  those who were wounded, and those whose lives forever changed last year; and

WHEREAS, today we are all Virginia Beach Strong;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize May 31, 2020, as VIRGINIA BEACH REMEMBRANCE DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.