Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff Saturday for the Anniversary of the Tragedy in Sandy Hook

HARTFORD, CT - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and Connecticut flags lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in remembrance of the twenty children and six adults who were killed twelve years ago in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

“The tragedy that occurred on this day twelve years ago is one of the most horrific and heartbreaking events in Connecticut history, and we owe it to those we lost, as well as their families and loved ones, to keep their memory alive by rededicating ourselves to being sources of love, healing, joy, and humanity, not just on this anniversary but every day,” Governor Lamont said. “I continue to pray for the survivors and the families and friends of those who were killed that they are blessed with peace and love. Our hearts will forever be with the twenty gentle young children and six courageous and devoted educators we lost on this day.”

“We will never forget the lives of the twenty innocent children and six heroic educators who were lost that day at Sandy Hook Elementary School,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Even twelve years later, the weight of the heartbreak and grief still lingers with us. As we mark another anniversary, let us take a moment to remember the legacy of those lives lost and commit to acts of kindness, generosity, and love in their memory. To the loved ones and the community, I wish comfort and peace, and continue to keep you in my prayers.”

In accordance with the directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.

Connecticut Remembers

- Charlotte Bacon, 6
- Daniel Barden, 7
- Olivia Engel, 6
- Josephine Gay, 7
- Dylan Hockley, 6
- Madeleine Hsu, 6
- Catherine Hubbard, 6
- Chase Kowalski, 7
- Jesse Lewis, 6
- Ana Márquez-Greene, 6
- James Mattioli, 6
- Grace McDonnell, 7
- Emilie Parker, 6
- Jack Pinto, 6
- Noah Pozner, 6
- Caroline Previdi, 6
- Jessica Rekos, 6
- Avielle Richman, 6
- Benjamin Wheeler, 6
- Allison Wyatt, 6
- Rachel D'Avino, 29 (behavior therapist)
- Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47 (principal)
- Anne Marie Murphy, 52 (special education teacher)
- Lauren Rousseau, 30 (teacher)
- Mary Sherlach, 56 (school psychologist)
- Victoria Leigh Soto, 27 (teacher)