Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Across Central New York on Friday, many paused to pay tribute and stand with the people of Newtown.
People from throughout the area’s communities gathered at the Temple Concord for an Interfaith service to commemorate the 20 children and six adults who were killed during Adam Lanza’s rampage through Sandy Hook Elementary School.
One by one, the names of those whose lives were taken were read as the people who came to the service listened in silence, reflecting on the tragedy that shook the entire nation.
The service was particularly poignant for a woman charged with thousands of Syracuse children, as well as being the mother of a 4-year-old son.
"I thought about when Jonathan came home on Dec. 14 and how grateful I was that he was safe and it's so difficult as superintendent and parent to think about trying to keep children safe,” said Syracuse City School District Superintendent Sharon Contreras.
Hopps Memorial CME Church Pastor Kevin Agee said that many people are trying to make sense of the world after a tragedy of Sandy Hook’s magnitude.
"I think many people are trying to search for some meaning, trying to make sense out of something that is truly senseless and people need an opportunity to come together so their grief can be processed,” he said.
