Even in times of tragedy, good people will emerge

On Dec. 14, 2012, 20 elementary school students and six teachers lost their lives to gun violence. Immediately after the shooting, a group of West Haven residents drove up to Sandy Hook to provide whatever comfort we could. The late Tim Wrightington and his wife, Lisa, even dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to try and give the children some sort of diversion from the tragic reality. Those were very dark days from which we still have not healed.

Almost eight years ago to the day, on June 15, 2014, West Haven dedicated the “pink playground” on Sea Bluff Beach as a remembrance to Charlotte Bacon, a “bubbly” 6-year-old who loved all things pink, animals and visiting West Haven’s beaches. Hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life gave up an entire weekend to construct that playground on Sea Bluff Beach. Students left school early, parents took days off from work, and strangers became close friends as every single Westie worked around the clock to ensure that the playground was built. There were so many volunteers that weekend that it seemed like every resident of West Haven was down on that beach. Today, that “pink playground” stands as a tribute to not only Charlotte, but to the innocent lives taken on that horrific December day.

In the time following this senseless act, an outpouring of pleas urging lawmakers to do whatever it took to prevent another shooting flooded the media. West Haven’s entire delegation was pushing for stricter gun control measures and it seemed as if Congress was listening.

The mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is just the latest mass shooting of many that have occurred since Sandy Hook, which was not the first. It goes without saying that all mass shootings are horrible, as are all violent crimes, but the shooting in Uvalde really strikes a nerve. Most of the victims were just little kids in their classroom. If you look at the statistics, mass shootings do not occur as often in other countries as they do here in the United States, especially not in schools. As you watch each of these nightmares unfold, ask yourself why that is. What have they done that we have not? Our elected officials must seek out an answer. This appalling violence must stop.

I have thought about the children that we lost in Sandy Hook, the children of Uvalde and all of the other victims over these years. I have also thought of all of the good people that drove up to comfort the residents of Sandy Hook and the countless amount of people that came out to help install a playground on the beach in just one weekend. It does not take away the pain and suffering, but it does give me some hope that the good people far outweigh the bad.

In closing, I would like to ask our elected officials, once again, from every level of government to put party politics aside and get to work on solving this problem. Keep in mind that the victims in the most recent shooting, as well as in Sandy Hook, were mostly children. Their futures were taken from them and their families. Please let that guide you in your efforts, and the efforts of your colleagues, to put in place measures that will protect and save the futures of all students. I know this goal is daunting and a complex one, but nonetheless, it should be the goal. May all of the victims rest in peace and may all of the families affected find comfort knowing that you are not alone in holding our leaders accountable for finding the solution.