Formal flag-lowering ceremony scheduled in memory of slain Virginia Tech corps alumnus
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will be holding a formal Retreat ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in memory of Army 1st Lt. Timothy E. Price, a member of the Virginia Tech Class of 2001 and corps of cadets, who was killed by hostile fire in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Sept. 7. He was 25.
The Retreat, a formal flag-lowering ceremony, was originally scheduled in memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, events. "This is much more personal now," said Col. Rock Roszak, USAF (Ret.), director of alumni programs for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
In addition to the Retreat, the corps has a Leadership Conference scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 16. This conference also was held in April 2004, where Price was one of four alumni who spoke to an auditorium full of corps members.
For the Retreat, the entire corps will gather on the upper quad between Brodie and Rasche halls. The corps' chaplain will make remarks, the band will play, and the flag will be lowered.
Flags on campus are already flying at half-staff in Price's memory -- at Burruss Hall, Virginia Tech's administrative offices; and on the upper quad, the corps of cadets' area.
On Wednesday, the corps laid a wreath in Price's memory at the cenotaph, the large granite stone on the War Memorial located between the Pylons.
A few more circumstances surrounding Price's death are available. Several months into his second tour of duty in Iraq, Price was responding to an exploded vehicle. "While commanding his unit’s actions at the scene, he was killed by enemy fire," Roszak said.
Price, of Midlothian, Va., received his degree in forestry from the College of Natural Resources.
Funeral arrangements are still incomplete. Donations are being taken for a scholarship in Price's memory. Donations can be sent to: University Development, 201 Pack Building (0336), Blacksburg VA 24060, Attn: Dave Spracher. For questions about the scholarship, call (800) 533-1144.
Updates will be posted to the Virginia Tech homepage, http://www.vt.edu/ http://www.vtcc.vt.edu/.
