If you have been on the internet, or seen a paper or tv you know what happened on friday. There was an act of evil. An act which shock our nation at its core. And unfortunately that was most likely the goal of this attack. I would like to remind you of the flip side. The side that houses the victims, their families and the heroes. Ask yourself facing the barrel of a loaded gun, would you be able to stand your ground knowing you are in your final moments on this earth. I asked myself this question and I know I would like to say yes no problem, however I believe its something you will never truly know until you are there. I pray that I will never be in that situation, and that if I am God will give me the strength to stand tall. I would like to tell you about someone who has become a hero of mine.

Teachers already hold a special place in my heart, I respect them. They are to thank for every basement born millionaire, president, doctor, and parent. If you live in this country you almost certainly have some form of education.

Victoria Soto

This is a woman who was faced with that impossible situation and made a choice. Her choice saved the lives of those children. And in my book that makes her a hero. The media focuses too often on those who spread fear and chaos. Lets instead remember those who put a stop to it. Those who hid their students and showed an immense amount of courage. Those are the heroes, they are the ones who should be remembered. Please take a moment to watch these videos. Look up Miss Soto. Hug your wife, husband, daughter, son, brother, sister, mother, father, your friend, and your enemy. Call up that person you haven’t talked to in ages. Share the love. Because as infectious as fear can be, I pray that love is even stronger and spreads even quicker.

Please take a moment to read the names of the victims. These are the names that we should be remembering. These are the names that should be in our prayers.

Children

Charlotte Bacon (age 6)

Daniel Barden (age 7)

Olivia Engel (age 6)

Josephine Gay (age 7)

Ana M. Marquez-Greene (age 6)

Dylan Hockley (age 6)

Madeleine F. Hsu (age 6)

Catherine V. Hubbard (age 6)

Chase Kowalski (age 7)

Jesse Lewis (age 6)

James Mattioli (age 6)

Grace McDonnell (age 7)

Emilie Parker (age 6)

Jack Pinto (age 6)

Noah Pozner (age 6)

Caroline Previdi (age 6)

Jessica Rekos (age 6)

Avielle Richman (age 6)

Benjamin Wheeler (age 6)

Allison N. Wyatt (age 6)

Adults

Rachel Davino (age 29)

Dawn Hochsprung (age 47)

Anne Marie Murphy (age 52)

Lauren Russeau (age 29)

Mary Sherlach (age 56)

Victoria Soto (age 27)

May their souls rest in Heaven.

-Martin