15 Minutes of Silence to Mark 4-Year Anniversary of Sandy Hook Massacre

SANDY HOOK, CT — It's been four years since a lone gunman took the lives of 20 innocent children and six dedicated, brave educators in one of the nation's worst mass shooting. On Dec. 14, 2012, 26 died at the hands of a shooter who later took his own life, and the community has never been the same. On Wednesday, the four-year anniversary of the massacre, the Town will hold a somber, silent reminder over 15 minutes time, the amount of time when the shootings took place, according to the Courant.

First Selectman Patricia Llodra is asking Town employees to refrain from doing any work during that time and instead reflect on the lives that were lost that day, the report stated.

Dr. Erardi, Superintendent of Schools, said that the 15 minutes of silence is for town department staff and that there will be a moment of silence in the schools. From Dr. Erardi:

"On Wednesday, December 14, 2016 we will hold a full day of school. There has been a detailed review of how the anniversary was handled last year as 12/14/15 was the first year school was in session. We will look to hold a very similar day as to what was established last December.

Our elementary and intermediate school staff will continue to realize that students’ knowledge of the events of 12/14 vary greatly. If requested by parents, school staff will provide talking points for parents to assist them with personal conversations with their child.

We will start the day with a moment of silence in all schools. At the secondary school level
Mr. Einhorn and Dr. Rodrigue will personalize the moment with an age-appropriate prepared statement to students and staff.

I am certain that many of you will join me in finding private space for personal reflection as the Newtown community continues to recover from an unconscionable act of violence. The press will be discouraged from being in town and will not be permitted on school property.

Please contact me if I can clarify or assist you in any way on this day."

— Respectfully, Dr. Joseph V. Erardi, Jr.

"It doesn't get easier," said Nicole Hockley, mother of 6-year-old Dylan and co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise.

Nelba Marquez-Greene said on the Remembering Ana Facebook page, "People remember our daughter. And we are grateful. No child should die from gun violence. Thank you for still remembering and honoring her."

For more information on all victims of 12/14 on a family approved page, visit here: www.mysandyhookfamily.org.

Image via Shutterstock