Michelle Obama To Sandy Hook Victims: ‘As A Mother Of Two Young Daughters, My Heart Aches For You’
Dec. 21 2012, Published 4:00 a.m. ET
As First Lady Michelle Obama writes a heartfelt open letter to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, on this Friday, for the fifth straight day, more funerals will be held for the victims of the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut with the burial of three staff members and two students.
Also on this Friday, to mark the week anniversary of the tragic shooting that left 20 small children and six adults dead, churches in Connecticut and across the country will ring their bells 26 times in memory of the victims at exactly 9:30am ET -- the time of the mass shooting. People are also being asked to pause for a moment of prayer.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Hartford Courant published a letter written by Mrs. Obama in wake of the tragedy. It reads as follows:
Over the past week, we as Americans have been united in our grief as Newtown has laid to rest so many beautiful, innocent children, along with the heroic educators who worked every day to help them achieve their dreams.
As a mother of two young daughters, my heart aches for you and your families. Like so many Americans, I wish there were something — anything — I could do or say to ease your anguish.
But I know that I cannot begin to imagine the depths of your grief. I know that for many of you, the pain you are enduring right now seems unbearable; and many of you may be asking yourselves, how can we go on — as families and as a community?
But I also know that we have already begun to see the answer to that question in the countless acts of courage, kindness and love here in Newtown and across America.
Over the past week, I have been awed and inspired by Newtown's heroes: the first responders who risked their lives at a moment's notice; the educators whose devotion to their students shone brightest in one of our nation's darkest hours; the children who comforted each other despite their fear; the families coming together to support each other as they grieve.
And I am so proud of the outpouring of love and support that has come from every corner of America: from first responders from neighboring cities rushing to help however they could; from people in Cleveland and Charlotte and Juneau and so many other communities joining together to honor
Newtown with their thoughts and prayers; and in living rooms and houses of worship and the halls of our government, where we are beginning to have those difficult conversations about how we can build a safer, more peaceful tomorrow for all our children.
And I want you to know that this is just the beginning. As my husband has said, in the coming weeks, he will use all the powers of his office to engage citizens from across this country to find ways to prevent tragedies like this one. And please know that every minute of every day, we are thinking of you, and praying for you, and holding you and your families in our hearts as you begin the slow and wrenching work of healing and moving forward.
In the months and years ahead, may the memories of those beautiful children and those heroic adults be a blessing for their families, for your community, and for our country, and may God bless you all.
First Lady Michelle Obama, Washington, D.C.
In wake of the tragedy, the United States Post Office has set up a special PO box for people to send cards expressing their prayers and sympathies to the Newtown community. The address is: Box 3700, Newtown, Connecticut 06470.
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