BANGOR, Maine — Victoria. Mary. James. Jessica. Jack.
Those were some of the names read aloud during a candlelight vigil on Monday night held by the northern chapter of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition to mark the third anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It also served as a way to remember all who have been traumatized by gun violence in America.
“It was a moment of reverence for innocent lives lost,” Roger Merchant of Glenburn said of the event, which drew about a dozen people to the small park adjacent to Bangor Public Library.
Each of the 26 people killed by 20-year-old Adam Lanza on Dec. 14, 2012, were represented by a candle set upon a small table at Peirce Park.
Twenty small candles represented the children whose lives were lost that day and six larger ones stood for the adults who died — most while trying to save them.
“Sandy Hook totally changed every way I approach politics,” said Amy Hughes of Augusta, who has worked on a background check initiative for gun ownership.
Dr. Geoff Gratwick, a state senator representing Bangor, said he sees gun violence as a public health matter.
“We have other epidemics that we pay attention to,” he said, citing Ebola, HIV and hepatitis as examples. “And we mobilize society’s resources to keep people healthy.
“This is an epidemic that is senseless, unneeded and is calling out to everybody in our society for a solution,” Gratwick said. “Solutions are available without infringing on any of our liberties.”
“I have been disheartened by the level of violence that seems to be increasing in our country,” said Dan Wilson of Old Town, a United Methodist pastor.