Standing Room Only: Alaskans Fill Church For CT Shooting Victims Vigil

Monday, December 17,?hundreds of Alaskans paid their respect for the victims of Fridays school shooting in Newton, Connecticut.

It was standing room only at the Central Lutheran?Church in Anchorage and it wasn't just adults but also families with young children, many the same age of the 20 victims who were killed Friday.

Anchorage Mother Olive Henninger said, "I was happy that we were all going to get together. That even way up here in Alaska we're thinking about them, that they know were all with them through this tragedy."

Olive and Nic?Henninger have one daughter, Madison. She's 7 years old, the same age as many of the victims from Sandy Hook Elementary.

During a vigil Monday night, a bell rang for every person who lost their life in an unspeakable act of violence in Connecticut.

"When we come together we can help each other maybe not make sense but at least bear the burden deal with the pain and grieve," said Central Luthern Church Pastor Glenn Peteresen.

While the tragedy took place thousands of miles from Alaska, people here say they feel a connection to the grieving families there.

"I can only imagine how those parents felt, losing their children," said Anchorage mother Jackie Duffield, "and I wanted to support them. They're never going to be forgotten, they're our children too, as a community they were our children too."

Pastor Petersen said this service is to remember the blessing we have and the lives that were lost.

"Its been hard just knowing the pain the other moms are going through, and the other dads are going through," said Henninger, "I just really appreciate that I have her."

Monday, December 17, Newtown, Connecticut laid to rest two 6 year old children. they are the first, of what will be more than a dozen funerals for the town that has suffered such a great tragedy.

Today services were held for Noah Pozner and jack pinto. Noah's twin sister, Arielle, was in a different classroom and survived the deadly encounter. Noah was remembered by family as a mischievous child.

Jack was remembered as a kid who loved the New York giant's football team.

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Contact Mallory Peebles

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50233602/ns/local_news-anchorage_ak/

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