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Park Forest Remembers Sandy Hook, CT, Shooting Victims With Candlelight Memorial (Story/Video)


Ashley Roche and Mary Smith representing Girl Scouts of America at the Sandy Hook, CT, Memorial Service at the Library Wednesday
Ashley Roche (left) and Mary Smith hold candles representing the Girl Scouts of America at the Sandy Hook, CT, Candlelight Memorial Service at the Library Wednesday evening. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A chill in the air and the slightest drizzle went unnoticed by the approximately three score who gathered beneath the Park Forest Library’s American Flag Wednesday evening. They stood close together to remember victims of a tragedy, twenty first-graders and six school staffers, including a teacher and a principal, gunned down on December 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

The funerals processions have only begun the grieving Connecticut town, while the nation endeavors to grasp the gravity of the events as many wrestle with seemingly impossible questions of conscience: how can we prevnt such a tragedy from ever happening again?

This night, Park Foresters simply paused to reflect by candlelight, to pray, to console, to sing, and to hold their children close.

(Below: Video of the Candlelight Memorial Service)

Complete List of Sandy Hook Victims’ Names

American flag at Park Forest LibraryCharlotte Bacon, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Rachel Davino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Dawn Hochsprung, 47

Madeline Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Jesse Lewis, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emilie Parker, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Lauren Rousseau, 30

Mary Sherlach, 56

Victoria Soto, 27

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6

Also…

Nancy Lanza, 52

Adam Lanza, 20


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