US Congresswoman Elisabeth Esty, and US Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal all issued statements today reflecting on the third anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Flags have been lowered to half-staff around town and across the state, following an executive on Saturday, December 12. Flags were to be lowered at sunrise today, and are to remain down until sunset this evening. Firefighters from Hook & Ladder took care of lowering the Main Street flag at 9 am Monday. order issued by Governor Dannel P. Malloy

Rep Esty is also making a number of stops in the region as part of a “day of service,” which will culminate in Newtown on Monday evening. She is scheduled to light a candle at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church at approximately 5:40 pm, and plans to say a prayer for the 26 Sandy Hook victims, their families, and the entire Newtown community.

She is expected to join the Newtown community at an interfaith gathering to honor those killed at SHES three years ago. The town’s religious leaders will also be offering prayers for the community during the event, which will begin at 7 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Prior to her arrival in town, Rep Esty offered the following statement:

“Today, our thoughts are with the families, first responders, and the Newtown community. Those who, despite their broken hearts, live each day as an inspiration to us all. We remember and we honor the 20 beautiful children and six courageous educators whose lives were cut short on what started as a routine day of learning. We reflect on the resiliency of a community that has sparked a growing movement of people all across the country, Americans from big cities and small towns, united in an unending resolve and unceasing commitment to saving lives.

“Since the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook three years ago today, over 90,000 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence, over 210,000 have been injured, and countless others have been affected. All those families live with grief and sorrow each day. Newtown teaches us that we cannot accept this gun violence that afflicts our communities. We must stand with those who continue to suffer and we must stand up for those who have been taken from us. 

“From our city streets to our places of worship – we are all Newtown. No one is immune from the scourge of senseless gun violence in this country. Therefore, let us stand together with Newtown all across the nation. Let us take time out of our busy schedules to remember the lives lost by serving our community in ways big or small. Let us do what we can to create a safer tomorrow for all our children. Let us honor with action.”

Senator Murphy’s statement, also issued Monday morning, was as follows:

“We grieve today, as we have every single day since that soul crushing December morning. 

“We remember the little ones, and marvel at what they were, and what they could have become. We recall with awe those brave educators, who tried to protect them, and perished in the effort. 

“And we never stop searching for answers. Why did it happen? Did it have to happen? What can we do, now, to make sure it never happens again? 

“Today, we stop, and consider the fickle, fleeting nature of life. We pledge to be more patient, more gentle, more forgiving, to both strangers and those we love. 

“And we pledge to honor the memory of that awful day, three years ago, by never ever giving up in our quest to make our country a safer, kinder place — no matter the obstacles, the setbacks, or the roadblocks we find along the way.”

Sen Murphy and Sen Blumenthal were among those who spoke on the floor of the US Senate on Thursay, December 10, ahead of the anniversary. Sen Murphy, according to a press release from his office, honored those who lost their lives, highlighted the strength and resolve of the Newtown community, and demanded congressional action to curb gun violence in the United States. 

Earlier on Thursday, Sen Murphy and some of his colleagues stood with families from Newtown, Hartford, and from cities and towns across the country who traveled to Washington, D.C., to demand that congressional Republicans take action to pass meaningful measures to reform what they call the nation’s broken gun laws.

Senator Blumenthal on Monday also offered his thought on the somber anniversary, saying:

“Our bond with Newtown is as resolute as ever – we are with the families and community as strongly as we were three years ago on this tragic day. Their pain and grief are real and powerful, but so are their courage and resilience in the face of unspeakable horror. I have respect beyond words for the personal bravery and strength of the survivors in Newtown — and for the tens of thousands of others who shoulder such pain and loss each day across our nation. We will never forget the loved ones lost, and I will never abandon this cause. We must honor with action today and every day.”