Christmas is generally a cheerful time of year, but the incident in Connecticut just ten days ago adds some poignancy to the atmosphere. It was deeply troubling, and as a result many of us are making a point of appreciating our loved ones more than usual.
I read one statement that really struck me, and I'm sorry I don't remember who wrote it.
The writer expressed regret that what's remembered after incidents like this is the name of the perpetrator, and not the victims'.
That this is undoubtedly true made me very, very sad, so I'm going to pay my respects to everyone who suffered due to the violence in Newtown by listing the names of the twenty children and
- Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female
- Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male
- Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female
- Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female
- Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female
- Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female
- Dylan Hockley, 3/8/06, male
- Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female
- Madeleine F. Hsu, 7/10/06, female
- Catherine V. Hubbard, 6/08/06, female
- Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male
- Jesse Lewis, 6/30/06, male
- James Mattioli , 3/22/06, male
- Grace McDonnell, 12/04/05, female
- Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female
- Emilie Parker, 5/12/06, female
- Jack Pinto, 5/06/06, male
- Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male
- Caroline Previdi, 9/07/06, female
- Jessica Rekos, 5/10/06, female
- Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female
- Lauren Rousseau, 6/1982, female (full date of birth not specified)
- Mary Sherlach, 2/11/56, female
- Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female
- Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male
- Allison N. Wyatt, 7/03/06, female
- Nancy Lanza, 52, female
(And many thanks to NBC and THE VOICE for providing the perfect video to accompany this post.)
Thanks for that Marlyn. I still cry every time I see those names and ages.
ReplyDeleteBut I want to point out, because no one else does, that there were 27 victims. Nancy Lanza, the shooter's mother was also murdered.
May next year be more peaceful.
You're absolutely right, L.J. It's been added.
DeleteThank you for one of the most moving tributes I have seen for the victims of this horrible crime.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pam. I'm honored.
DeleteI saw that tribute on The Voice the night it ran and it took a few seconds for it to sink in as to what they were doing since there was no introduction. It was incredibly moving. What a wonderful tribute to those innocent victims.
ReplyDeleteI responded exactly the same way, Terry.
ReplyDeleteMarlyn, thanks. My hope is that this horrible event will serve as a dramatic tipping point in our country—on a lot of levels.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Peg!
DeleteThanks for this, Marlyn. I so agree with you. And I hadn't seen that tribute, so thanks for sharing that, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your positive reinforcement, Jodie. I was a little nervous about how this would turn out.
DeleteA wonderful tribute. We need to remember the victims, not the perpetrators.
ReplyDeleteThis may not be the appropriate place, but I believe there should be a law that says no media can use the shooters name or photo. That might take out one aspect of the "draw."
Delete