To honor 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that claimed the lives of 26 students and educators, Connecticut is marking the tragedy with a solemn day of remembrance.
Gov. Ned Lamont is directing U.S. and Connecticut flags lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday in remembrance of the victims who were killed on Dec. 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. The tragedy remains the deadliest mass shooting in Connecticut history and the deadliest at an elementary school in U.S. history, according to officials.
“This tragedy 13 years ago is one of the worst to ever occur in Connecticut, and our hearts will forever be with the 20 innocent children who were taken all too soon and the six devoted educators who lost their lives protecting the students they heroically guarded,” Lamont said. “Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the courage and strength of our school teachers and faculty, the ongoing need to dedicate ourselves to being sources of love and humanity, and our collective responsibility to work toward a more peaceful, kind, and hopeful world.”
To remember the victims of the tragedy, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds and facilities statewide, according to Lamont’s office. In addition, several other buildings, including homes, businesses, schools and municipal buildings are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time.
“Thirteen years ago, Connecticut faced the most tragic day in our state’s history as we lost the lives of 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “This event continues to cause shared grief and heartbreak for us all more than a decade later. In their memory, we continue to honor the innocent lives lost by carrying ourselves with kindness and generosity, not only on December 14, but every day of the year. To their friends, family, and survivors, I keep you in my prayers and wish you comfort.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.

