Abilene Community Grieves Together for Victims in Shooting Massacre
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: December 20, 2012
Twenty-seven lit candles, to represent each life lost in the sandy hook massacre.
"It's very painful to see all those little kids," says Melissa Lopez.
Families approached the memorial to take a closer look at each one of the victims.
Robert Thomas says, "my heart goes out. I got two little kids and I couldn't imagine, I just couldn't imagine."
Although Abilene is over than 1,800 miles away from Newtown, Connecticut, where those innocent lives were taken, people in the Abilene community say they feel their pain.
"They're not alone. They're not crying alone, they're not hurting alone. I think this tragedy has impacted everybody," says Misty Boerger.
Prayers were offered for all those affected by the shooting, even the gunman's family.
"Lord we ask that you be with the family of the Lanza's too because they're the victims as well."
Tears were flowing and embraces were exchanged, as a community came together to honor and remember.
Boerger adds, "It wasn't just only tears of sadness, but you know in a sense tears of joy. They're not in pain. They're not hurting. They're in heaven, but the ones that were left behind, the moms and the dads, we cry for them because we can't imagine."
As hard as it may be for everyone to get through a time like this, families are remembering what's most important.
"We can get through this together. That our thoughts and our prayers are with them all the time. We've got to stick together through hard times like this," Thomas says.
"It's very painful to see all those little kids," says Melissa Lopez.
Families approached the memorial to take a closer look at each one of the victims.
Robert Thomas says, "my heart goes out. I got two little kids and I couldn't imagine, I just couldn't imagine."
Although Abilene is over than 1,800 miles away from Newtown, Connecticut, where those innocent lives were taken, people in the Abilene community say they feel their pain.
"They're not alone. They're not crying alone, they're not hurting alone. I think this tragedy has impacted everybody," says Misty Boerger.
Prayers were offered for all those affected by the shooting, even the gunman's family.
"Lord we ask that you be with the family of the Lanza's too because they're the victims as well."
Tears were flowing and embraces were exchanged, as a community came together to honor and remember.
Boerger adds, "It wasn't just only tears of sadness, but you know in a sense tears of joy. They're not in pain. They're not hurting. They're in heaven, but the ones that were left behind, the moms and the dads, we cry for them because we can't imagine."
As hard as it may be for everyone to get through a time like this, families are remembering what's most important.
"We can get through this together. That our thoughts and our prayers are with them all the time. We've got to stick together through hard times like this," Thomas says.
