West Haven Holding Sandy Hook Observance At 9:35 a.m. Dec. 14

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven will hold a citywide commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Wednesday.

The city will mark the observance at 9:35 a.m., the time when the first 911 call came in from the Newtown school.

The First Congregational Church on the Green will toll bells 26 times while playing poignant music in memory of the 20 first graders and six educators who died in the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting.

Black-and-purple bunting will adorn City Hall and other municipal buildings, including schools and police and fire stations, according to organizers.

“As our city marks this very solemn anniversary, I think of each of the victims, their families and all of the survivors,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said. “West Haven will not let the memory of Charlotte Bacon or any other victim be forgotten.”

West Haven is home to the Charlotte Bacon “Where Angels Play” playground at Sea Bluff Beach, off Captain Thomas Boulevard near Ocean Avenue.

The pink playground was built in 2014 in memory of Charlotte, 6, whose favorite color was pink.

In honor of Charlotte this week, pink LED lights will illuminate the new Cove River pedestrian bridge, just steps from her seaside playground.