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Among those in attendance was Dan Krauss, a Newtown resident and a 1993 graduate of Yorktown High School. Krauss, whose second grade daughter Rachel attends Sandy Hook Elementary School, was touched by the outpouring of support from his old community to his new one.
"We’re thankful for the love and support from around the globe. The messages are reaching us, and we appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers," Krauss said. "We’re thankful for communities that have come together on nights like this to show their solidarity and love for Newtown and our beloved Sandy Hook School."
Krauss described the frantic moments after leaving work and speeding to find his daughter. He also shared anecdotes about Newtown, including its famous 100-foot-tall flagpole and a Town Hall that still shows $2 movies. He brought a binder with pictures of his favorite places around town.
"Newtown’s a quiet, picturesque Southern New England town. The unofficial motto is 'It’s Nicer in Newtown,'" he said. "Yorktown and Newtown are very similar."
The somber event took place at the edge of Jack DeVito Field, where just two weeks earlier the town had celebrated a much more joyous occasion.
"The Christmas parade and the tree lighting was a great symbol of our community coming together, and tonight once again, is a great symbol of our community coming together," Supervisor Michael Grace said.
Trevor Legeret, a 12-year-old Newtown Middle School student and former Sandy Hook student, sang a version of The Beatles' "Let It Be" at the ceremony.
Krauss created a donation website for family members of the Newtown victims, called My Sandy Hook Family Fund.
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