SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

AFTER NEWTOWN
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS

D1

NEWTOWN
WE STAND TOGETHER

when a lone gunmans rampage ended with 27 slayings, including 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we emerge determined to find solutions for violence and mental illness even as we are left unable to answer, for those lives cut short, what might have been. WE MOURN:
Charlotte Bacon Daniel Barden Rachel DAvino Olivia Engel Josephine Gay Dawn Hochsprung Dylan Hockley Madeleine Hsu Catherine Hubbard Chase Kowalski Nancy Lanza Jesse Lewis Ana Marquez-Greene James Mattioli Grace McDonnell Anne Marie Murphy Emilie Parker Jack Pinto Noah Pozner Caroline Previdi Jessica Rekos Avielle Richman Lauren Rousseau Mary Sherlach Victoria Soto Benjamin Wheeler Allison Wyatt

AFTER THAT CHILLY FRIDAY MORNING,

Above, the waiting crowd on Friday, the night of the tragedy, outside St. Rose of Lima Church memorial service in Newtown.
Melanie Stengel/New Haven Register

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

AFTER NEWTOWN
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS

NEW HAVEN REGISTER D3

Newtown: A community mourns the loss of 27

Continued from D2

held the first of what would be many regular press briefings over the next few days. Evil visited this community today, said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Its too early to speak of recovery, but each parent, each sibling, each member of the family has to understand that Connecticut, were all in this together. Well do everything we can to overcome this event. Days later, Malloy would break down while remembering what it was like to inform families that their children hadnt survived the shooting. It was evident to me that there was a reluctance to tell parents and loved ones that the person they were waiting for was not going to Arnold Gold/New Haven Register return, Malloy said, unable HOPE is spelled out in candle-lit bags in front of the Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home in Woodbury during the wake for Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal to hold back his own anguish. That had gone on Dawn Hochsprung on Dec. 19. for a period of time, well after there was an expectan- ed to be a doctor; Emilie nent substitute at Sandy cy that families would be Parker, 6, who was a budHook in November. Mary reunited. So I made a deciding artist; Ana MarquezSherlach, 56, had been at the sion that rather than relying Greene, 6, whose jazz musi- school since 1994, and also on traditional investigative cian father once named a had worked at schools in policies that you actually song, Ana Grace. New Haven and North have a child or adult identiThere were Jessica Rekos, Haven. fied as the particular victim 6, who had given herself the Rachel DAvino, 29, was before you inform someone job of setting the family din- completing her doctorate. that their loved one was ner table each night; Dylan Her boyfriend planned to not going to return. I made Hockley, 6; Catherine Hub- propose to her on Christmas the decision that to have that bard, 6, who asked for Eve. go on any longer was stuffed animals every ChristAnne Marie Murphy, 52, wrong. mas; Madeleine Hsu, 6; was an alumna of Southern Nor was the president of Grace McDonnell, 6; JoseConnecticut State Universithe United States immune to phine Gay, 7, whose birthty. She reportedly died with Newtowns heartache. day was just three days her arms wrapped around Speaking at before the Dylan Hockley, a youngster the White attack; Chase she worked closely with at House, PresiKowalski, 7; Sandy Hook. dent Barack James MattiVictoria Soto, whose buriObama wiped Evil visited this comoli, 6, who al was Wednesday, had both away tears munity today. Its loved to sing an inner steel and a childlike and paused and play sense of wonder, her family too early to speak of several times sports; Avisaid. At her funeral, Paul recovery, but each parin order to elle Richman, Simon sang The Sound of ent, each sibling, each maintain his 6; Benjamin Silence. member of the family composure. Wheeler, 6; These stories, these interOur hearts has to understand that and Allison rupted lives of sweetness are broken Wyatt, 6, and strength, didnt come to Connecticut, were all today, he who had the public all at once. They in this together. Well said. turned her rolled out in sorrowful do everything we can to room into an swells, each new detail On Saturovercome this event. day, the art studio. catching people up short in names of the Daniel the deepest, most primal - Gov. Dannel P. dead were parts of their hearts and Malloy Barden, 7, released was a ramminds. and our sadbunctious I cant think of anything ness became boy who res- thats worse than this, said nearly cued worms North Haven Superintenunbearable. By nightfall, a from the driveway after a dent of Schools Robert Crocold, biting rain began to rainstorm; Caroline Previdi, nin, who had previously settle in, as if the sky itself 6, had the nickname Boo. worked with Hochsprung. was braced for the details At Carolines funeral, I believe people in our that would emerge. Monsignor Robert Weiss of schools all we want to do There was 6-year-old St. Rose of Lima said the lit- is take care of children Olivia Engel, who was going tle girl was probably the and do everything in our to be an angel in the live happiest addition to heaven power to keep them safe, nativity performed at St. in a long time. She was and this is just the most horRose of Lima Church; 6always happy, always smil- rific thing that could be. year-old Jesse Lewis, who ing. People needed to take used to make up nicknames The world also mourned some sort of action, to be for people whose names he six heroic adults. with others, lest they simply Erica Miller/Digital First Media couldnt pronounce; 6-yearPrincipal Dawn Hochdissolve into spasms of old Charlotte Bacon, who sprung, 47, reportedly had uncontrollable anger and Candles are arranged outside the Newtown Town Hall in remembrance of the 20 children and 6 had a passion for the color lunged at the gunman sadness. teachers killed inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14. pink. before being killed. I wanted to come home, Young Jack Pinto, 6, was Dawn is a beautiful see my mom, said Rachel Obama arrived in Newtown wounded hearts. I can only shootings. That was fola youth wrestler who idolwoman with a smile that Rockwell, who traveled with words of comfort and lowed by an announcement hope it helps for you to ized New York Giants wide could just knock you back from college in Massa- resolve. over the schools public know that youre not alone receiver Victor Cruz. On down, recalled her mentor, chusetts to be at a vigil in Here in Newtown, I in your grief; that our world address system that officers Sunday, Cruz wrote Jack Barbara Malkas, an educator Newtown Saturday evening. come to offer the love and too has been torn apart; that were in place. in Webster, Mass. That I went to school there 15 prayers of a nation, he said all across this land of ours, Pinto, my hero on one of We wanted to let the kids smile would grow bigger years ago that could have his cleats. He also visited in an emotional speech. know that we were doing we have wept with you, and just blind you if she was been me. Newtown to pay his I am very mindful that our best to keep them safe, weve pulled our children talking about her work. The next evening, as doz- mere words cannot match respects. said Rich Kearns, the distight. And you must know Lauren Rousseau, 30, had ens of vigils brought people the depths of your sorrow, So many young lives. tricts director of security. that whatever measure of Noah Pozner, 6, who want- only been hired as a perma- close around the state, nor can they heal your Field trips were scuttled. comfort we can provide, we will provide; whatever por- Outdoor activities were canceled. Upcoming holiday tion of sadness that we can school concerts were given share with you to ease this strict, new security guideheavy load, we will gladly lines. Parents and educators bear it. Newtown you are talked about metal detecnot alone. tors, controlled access to HARD ISSUES buildings and heightened vigilance. Alongside the grief and The sense I get, from hurt, the countrys secondaround the state, from Board deadliest school shooting of Education chairs, is peohas the potential to cause seismic shifts in public poli- ple are all considering these things, said Brookfield cy. Board of Education ChairFrom individual school man Raymond DiStephan, districts to public health whose family was close to organizations to the White one of Newtowns young House itself, implications were being felt. Certainly in victims. Theyre all going Connecticut, there was a call over their protocols. Kenneth Trump, presifor something to be done. For one, every school sys- dent of National School Safetem in the state began over- ty and Security Services, said Americas schools had hauling its security procedrifted away from the secudures. Many towns starity inroads made after the tioned police at the front 1999 massacre at Columdoor of their elementary bine High School in Coloraschools, and many more do. made arrangements for Most school security proincreased police presence. fessionals have been saying In Derby, two officers were at each of the districts until theyre red in the face Erica Miller/Digital First Media four schools within 2 minutes of learning about the See Tragedy, D4 Crowds still gather around the memorial site in the downtown area of Sandy Hook on Church Hill Road.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

AFTER NEWTOWN
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS

NEW HAVEN REGISTER D5

Response: Gun control, mental health treatment brought to forefront

Continued from D4

with a mental illness. Where do you draw the line? he asked, noting that there are some 400 known mental disorders. Yet, in Lanzas case, they were not his guns. They were his mothers. Nancy Lanza had visited firing ranges and the .223-caliber Bushmaster rifle, and the Glock and Sig Sauer handguns used in the school slaughter were registered to her. Connecticut lawmakers already are saying the upcoming legislative session will feature a slate of measures looking at gun control, as well as school security and mental health, in response to Newtown. One of those proposals, said state Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven, is likely to be a call for a gun offender registry, similar to Megans Law for sex offenders. A number of gun shop proprietors and gun owners say such moves would do little to prevent the kind of massacre that happened at Sandy Hook. They fear gun control advocates will try to leverage the publics anguish to constrict Second Amendment rights. Americans have the right to defend themselves and gun control is not the answer, said John Longhi, owner of Johns Firearms in Torrington. Thomas Imperati, owner of The Hunters Shop in Branford, said his business, which sells firearms only to dealers, doubled after the Newtown incident. But he made very clear his distress over the shootings. I havent been able to sleep for three days, thinking about what this guy did, Imperati said, referring to Adam Lanza. Theres no way he should have had access to a gun. Judging by the speech Obama made in Newtown, as well as remarks since then, the White House is gearing up for a push to curb assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines. The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing, Obama said. The fact that we cant prevent every act of violence doesnt mean we cant steadily reduce the violence.

ABOVE: Newtown police officers grieve at a makeshift memorial outside of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. Several prayer services were held in memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.
Mia M. Malafronte/Special to the New Haven Register

LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE

It is now two days before Christmas, and our tears havent subsided. Every new detail, every sound bite, every photograph rips away the shaky veneer of normalcy and plunges us again into the dark thoughts and images of something too tragic to bear. These were children. These were guileless, innocent souls. Perhaps we must do two things at once: Give voice to our sadness while also pouring ourselves into acts of kindness and support that honor the dead. Thousands of people, if not hundreds of thousands, are doing so already. Theyve been at it since that Friday afternoon. Chicagoans brought golden retrievers for folks to pet; a New Haven art teacher who lives in Newtown built 27 wooden angels and placed them out on Church Hill Road; Beth Howard, an Iowa woman, and her friends baked more than 250 apple pies and brought them to town. It might sound silly to say, Hey, we are going to bake some pies and bring in the midst of this tragedy, Howard said, but in a way, its the simplest gesture I think you can make.

LEFT: The front of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14.
Arnold Gold/ New Haven Register

The Facebook group R.I.P. Sandy Hook Elementary School Children elicited more than 1.1 million likes in less than 24 hours. A fund for the families of victims raised $1.35 million as of Tuesday night. People brought flowers, teddy bears and candles. Others donated Christmas trees. Generous, dedicated first responders around the state swarmed to help their brethren in Newtown, who saw things no person should ever have to see. There were vigils, far and wide. We were looking for a sense of community, to feel a bond, said Kris Cotton of Newtown, whose family left candles and gifts near the school the day after everything happened. This is like the calm before the real dread. Im here to

Aaron Ontiveroz/Digital First Media

Community members remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown.

Arnold Gold/New Haven Register

A home displays a God Bless Sandy Hook sign near the center of Newtown.

cope with the sorrow. de Janeiro and Karachi, Pakistan. Molly Delaney stood outside St. John Some public remembrances were Episcopal Church with her two daughdirected at individuals. ters that weekend. This is going to be a Young Jack Pintos teammates at the lifelong event to get on, she said. Newtown Youth Wrestling Association In New Haven, 600 people gathered on dedicated their meet in Little Falls, N.J., the Green to grieve. to their fallen friend. The association Being together is where we find our posted this comment on its Twitter feed strength for each other, said Rabbi Herb about making the road trip on such a sad Brockman of Congregation Mishkan Isra- day: Know what we found? Hugs and el in Hamden. ham/egg/cheese sandwiches. Members of the Abdul-Majid Karim At Southern Connecticut State UniverHasan Islamic Center in Hamden talked sity, more than 100 students, faculty and about the power of prayer at their vigil. staff gathered to remember four of the We believe that victims with conprayer is the most nections to the unipowerful force versity alumni known to man and Dawn Hochsprung, We must forgive like before. But Im Mary Sherlach, todays prayer vigil was an effort to pro- not sure if Im there yet. The tears Anne Marie Murphy vide strength and and graduate stuare still fresh. The pain is still raw. support to all in dent Victoria Soto. But each tear shed brings us to a Newtown, said There were 20 white place of greater compassion. Open Abdul-Majid Karim roses at the podium Hasan, resident yourself up to the pain so we can in honor of the slain imam of the center. children and six red heal. Some 2,000 peoroses for the educa- The Rev. Mel Kawakami ple filled the park tors who died. outside City Hall in Some in the audiMilford, singing, torium shared memcrying and praying. ories of Sotos winMilfords teacher of ning, mega-watt the year, Nikki Wayne, read the names smile, and others talked about her comof the deceased. passion and spark. Mainly, they saluted These are our children, the worlds a group of teachers whose courage and children, Mayor Ben Blake said. We unflinching love will be an inspiration are united. for generations of others in their profesOn that first Sunday, many people sion. sought spiritual counsel as a way of findTheir actions at a quiet, little school in ing an anchor in the whirlwind of casConnecticut were more enduring than cading rage. any evil, said SCSU President Mary PapaJoy? Joy? Do I want someone to come zian. Their actions showed there is hope in here and talk to me about joy? said because there is love and caring and sacMonsignor Jerald A. Doyle, administra- rifice. tor of the Diocese of Bridgeport, at Mass Meanwhile, a phalanx of plumbers, at St. Rose of Lima. I want someone to cops, electricians and teachers went validate my feelings of sorrow. about the solemn task of turning Chalk Parishioners approached for Communion that day with tears streaming down Hill School in Monroe into a new home their cheeks. But the churchs Christmas for the kids of Sandy Hook Elementary pageant would go on, with rehearsals lat- School. They built plywood partitions to isoer that morning. late the crime scene areas in Newtown, At the Newtown United Methodist where investigators were working at Church, the Rev. Mel Kawakami spoke the school. That way they could start openly about his own struggle to navihauling out desks and chairs. A congate a sea of roiling emotions. Weve seen this before, he said. We tractor donated paint to make the new must forgive like before. But Im not sure building look more like the kids old school. if Im there yet. The tears are still fresh. Malloy signed an executive order The pain is still raw. But each tear shed waiving some state statutes to speed up brings us to a place of greater compassion. Open yourself up to the pain so we the move. The plan is to have Sandy Hook students settled in at Chalk Hill on can heal. Jan. 2. Through the week, outpourings of Our job is to facilitate a move and get sympathy and solidarity showered down those kids back in a building where they on Newtown. NBCs The Voice paid tribute with a can start bringing back the normalcy in their lives, said Al Barbarotta, a local rendition of the song, Hallelujah. The contractor helping with the move. New York City Childrens Choir sang Across from the entrance to Chalk Hill, Silent Night on Saturday Night Live. on a white picket fence, theres already a There were vigils and tributes in New green banner with white letters, saying, York Citys Times Square, and in Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Glasgow, Rio Welcome Sandy Hook Elementary.

D8

NEW HAVEN REGISTER

AFTER NEWTOWN
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

Kindred souls in unimaginable grief

Columbine survivors tell Newtown families over time, pain becomes less

HEN 26 PEOPLE, including 20 children no older than 7, were killed by a gunman on Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, the news devastated an entire nation. Struck particularly hard by those events were the people who, 13 years earlier, dealt with the violent chaos and tragedy of Colorados Columbine High School shootings that killed a dozen students and one teacher and left many more injured and emotionally scarred. For some of them, the events in Connecticut conjured old pain and plastered on a new layer of grief for strangers nearly 2,000 miles away. They watched a community join them, as some have put it, in a club to which no one wants to belong. A number of those who experienced Columbine in 1999 and have lived with its repercussions have offered not only their condolences, but their encouragement and advice to a wounded Connecticut community. Some have done so through organized efforts such as The Rebels Project, which has sponsored a teddy bear drive that will also send personal correspondence to Newtown. Some have offered their thoughts here, in an attempt to pass along difficult lessons learned from living through a school shooting that forever changed their lives. Be prepared for and accept the stages of grief you will hear about, because its natural. Accept that you and others around you may grieve differently and theres nothing wrong with that. Dont let it be a conflict. When the right time comes, bond with those other families, because nobody knows what youve been through like they do. Be prepared for some people who will say some insensitive things, because some people just dont know how to handle you. Honor your child. And think and I know this is hard to say early on, because you should grieve but as you go on, think about what your child would want for your life. And being unable to get through this would not be what they would want. I really recommend seeing a grief counselor. Ministers and friends play a role, but I think you need that professional, third-party conversation. Because there may be things you wont share with your friend or minister or priest. You need to put those things on the table and let them out. Tom Mauser, Father of Daniel Mauser, who died at Columbine High School

Special to the Register

By Kevin Simpson

Karl Gehring/The Denver Post

Rick Townsend, father of Columbine High School shooting victim Lauren Townsend, is participating in the Denver Post Postcards Project. He posed for a portrait at his home Dec. 20.

Having lived through the terrible pain that you are all now experiencing, we know that there are no words that will ease those intense, unrelenting waves of sorrow and unbelief. But regardless, know that Misty, Chris, and I, our nation, and so many others across the globe are grieving with you right now and will not let you journey alone. Though we will not touch that loved ones face again in this life, know they will forever reside in our hearts and memories, and will still travel through life with us. Please take comfort in knowing that they knew you loved them without bounds. There are so many people who want to do something, to help in some aspect. Allow yourself to be open to all avenues of love, help and compassion whatever good things people want to do. They come in all forms. When we lost Cassie, people fed us, reminded us they were still praying for us, that we were still on their minds and hearts. People cut our grass. People gave us resources. That allowed us an extra measure of freedom to really immerse ourselves in our grief, and then begin to work out of it. And the bottom line: As much as it hurts right now and we know that feeling too well it will get better. Life is going to get better. Itll never be the same, but it is going to get better. Praying for you all, Brad, Misty and Chris Bernall,

Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post

Columbine High School teacher Lee Andres is in the music classroom Denver, Colo., Dec. 21. Family of Cassie Bernall, who died at Columbine High School Im not sure what Id say to you. I found out that sometimes its better for people to say nothing, because youre so deep in pain that you dont want to hear anything except something that brings your child back to you. Sometimes its just being there a hand on the shoulder, a gentle hug, a glass of water, or a plate of food. Often there are no words that can help you feel better. But, if you were to ask me, I would offer this: Over time, the pain becomes less. Over time, although youll never forget, never get over it, you can move on. And although it seems so distant now, you will feel joy again. You need to take care of yourselves and the other kids in the family. Accept the support and love of family, friends, and community. It will help you heal and will help them as well.

D10

NEW HAVEN REGISTER

AFTER NEWTOWN
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

SORROW DEEPENS BY THE HOUR

ON A DAY THAT STARTED LIKE SO MANY OTHERS AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FRIDAY, DEC. 14 A gunman opens

I would tell the mourners that we will carry a piece of that person always. In the community, we are all part of one another.
- Bryan Myers, pastor of Tabor Lutheran Church in Branford

fire in a Newtown elementary school, killing 20 young children and six others before taking his own life in one of the deadliest shootings in history.

SATURDAY, DEC. 15 A law

enforcement source says the killer shot out a glass entrance into the building, then opened fire in two rooms. State police release the names of the victims. All 20 children were first-graders who were 6 or 7 years old.

Peter Casolino/New Haven Register

SUNDAY, DEC. 16 President Barack

Obama comes to Newtown during an interfaith vigil to honor the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School, and delivers an emotional speech to the nation. The president pauses to compose himself several times during the speech, in which he declares, Newtown, you are not alone.

Residents Amy Collins and her son, Andrew, 5, place drawings and candles outside St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown Dec. 15. Many area residents were visiting the church as the community tried to come to grips with the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14.

Mia M. Malafronte/For the New Haven Register

Stuffed bears, carrying the name and age of each victim, sit as part of a memorial in the center of Sandy Hook Dec. 16. The makeshift memorials in Sandy Hook grew quickly, as mourners left hundreds of cards, candles, flowers and stuffed animals in memory of the shooting victims.

She was incredibly selfless and courageous. She was willing to give her life to save as many children as she could. She was quick-witted enough to hide seven children in a closet and lie convincingly to a madman.
- Louise Spear-Swerling, a professor who was slain teacher Victoria Sotos adviser and teacher at Southern Connecticut State University

MONDAY, DEC. 17 The first funerals are held. Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto, both 6, are laid to rest. Teddy bears and balloons, a New York Giants football jersey and other signature items blanket the locations, along with hundreds of mourners.

HOW TO HELP
THE UNITED WAY has set up a Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Donations may be mailed to Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown 06470, or online at https://newtown.uwwesternct.org. NEWTOWN YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES, 15 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook 06482, is collecting donations for residents directly affected by the shooting. Donations can be sent via Carolines Gift, a fund that offers financial support to families dealing with a childs terminal or catastrophic illness. For more details on how to donate, call 203-426-8103. NEWTOWN PARENT CONNECTION is collecting donations through its website, www.newtownparentconnection.org. Donations can be made via Paypal or any major credit card, and the organization says all proceeds will be donated directly to those affected by the shootings. For more information, call 203-270-1600. FURTHER DONATIONS can be made to the CT infoline at 211 or 800-203-1234. The CT infoline is coordinating the American Red Cross efforts.

TUESDAY, DEC. 18 More funerals

are held for children and adult victims. Police confirm that the killer shot himself as police arrived on the scene, and officials say they will assemble a detailed psychological profile of the perpetrator. The probe fuels a national debate about gun control.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19 The

atmosphere in Newtown area grows darker and denser as the funerals continue and tears flow. The children who had fled Sandy Hook Elementary School in a panic finally get their backpacks returned when they tour Chalk Hill School in Monroe, where they will attend classes beginning Jan. 2. Meanwhile, people pour in from across the country and around Connecticut in support of the town.

Melanie Stengel/New Haven Register

Police, fire and emergency personnel converge on Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Dec. 14 in the aftermath of the shootings.

Its the most terrible moment of a parents life you have no idea.
Richard Wilford, whose son, Richie, 7, was uninjured in the shootings

THURSDAY, DEC. 20 The first

package of gun control bills to go the Connecticut General Assembly will include one that would require a permit to purchase ammunition, a heavy tax on bullets and firearms magazines and tightening of the round-capacity of permitted guns. The proposal is expected to be the first of many that will be floated this legislative session in response to the mass shooting.

Arnold Gold/New Haven Register

A sign is posted next to the Newtown Police Department Dec. 16.

God knows no greater love than to lay down your life for another. This wonderful young woman did that. We should all be so lucky as to know that kind of love for others, every day. I hope she inspires the world to love one another. She deserves at least that much and more.
Walter Jones, a lay pastor and friend of 27-year-old Sandy Hook teacher Victoria Soto

FRIDAY, DEC. 21 A moment of

silence followed by a reading of victims names at Newtowns town hall with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy starts a dreary, rainy day. The town hall bell is rung once for each victim. Elsewhere, another series of funerals are held. Meanwhile, the NRA proposes placing an armed guard at every school in America.

Peter Hvizdak/New Haven Register

A schoolgirl looks out from a Newtown school bus as it passes by St. Rose of Lima Roman Roman Catholic Church during the funeral for James Mattioli, 6, of Newtown Dec. 18.

Elsa Castillo, center, and Angel Velez, right, of Waterbury light a candle at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in the center of Sandy Hook Monday.
Arnold Gold/New Haven Register

Peter Casolino/New Haven Register

Ginny Smith of Sandy Hook prays outside the St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown Saturday. Smiths daughter did a teaching internship at the Sandy Hook Elementary School recently and knew some of the victims.

D12

NEW HAVEN REGISTER

AFTER NEWTOWN
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

Tom Kelly IV/Daily Local News

The memorial setup near the Sandy Hook firehouse, and the entrance road to Sandy Hook Elementary School continues to grow as seen here early Thursday. The sun rises above the trees, illuminating parts of the memorial, as Connecticut State Troopers block the entrance road to Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Scripture tells us, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away ... inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
President Barack Obama Dec. 16, 2012