Vigil honors victims of unspeakable tragedy

Re-posting this ~ I wrote it Monday for my View from the Valley blog for the New Haven Register. 


Last night I covered the Valley's candlelight vigil in memory of those lost in the school slayings in Sandy Hook.
It was held on the Derby Green, and I was struck by the large number of people - hundreds - who attended.

Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe said, "It's a tremendous turnout for a night like this. People are looking for an outlet," he said, and want to be with others in the community.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile commented, "It's great to see such a big crowd here. It shows how big our hearts are in our small community of Derby."
   

People huddled under umbrellas waiting for the vigil to start. The festive Christmas lights seemed out of place at first, but I soon saw them as symbolizing hope for a brighter future for our community and our nation.


At the start of the service, Pablo Barriga, campus facilitator, New Life Community Church in Derby, told the crowd, "We have seen the devil at his worst. Let us now believe we shall see God at His best."  

Norwich resident Swaranghit Singh holds a sign showing support of the victims of Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. About 50 members of the Sikh community attended the vigil Sunday night.

Singh said the shootings reminded him of the August slayings of six Sikhs at a temple in Wisconsin. He said the Sikh community will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Friday at its temple, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, 1610 West St., Southington.

 Angela Descheen, 3, of Derby, shows us there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.