We be can’t begin to explain why a young man would step into Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, CT with semi automatic weapons and start shooting. Trying to get inside the mind of such a madman is pointless.
What is important is to remember the brave actions taken by this school community in the most dire situations. The principal and school psychologist confronted the gunman when he forceable entered the school. A first grade teacher died after she threw herself in front of her students to save them. Another teacher barricaded her students inside a small bathroom and would not come out until the police arrived. She kept telling the students that “there is a bad guy here, but the good guys are on the way.” She repeatedly told the students she loved them and it would be okay. Still others had their students close their eyes as they filed arm and arm out of the school toward safety.
I talk a lot about the importance of the support of a community. During these tough times, we find out how strong that community really is. None of us know how we would react in such a horrific situation. I hope we never have to find out. But the good folks at Sandy Hook clearly has showed themselves as a brave ccommunity during a time of crisis.
Do we need a ban on assault weapons? Yes. Do we need more help with mental illness in this country? Yes. But what we really need are contributions to close knit communities like Sandy Hook to help each other during a time like this.
Today, hold your own community a bit closer. Help build and strengthen it. It’s those people that really count.
