Obama comforts Newtown shooting family members with somber visit
President Obama speaks at a memorial service for the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. (Getty) Credit: President Obama speaks at a memorial service for the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. (Getty)
President Barack Obama capped off a day of spiritual mourning at Newtown, Conn., by speaking at a memorial for shooting victims.
Hundreds of townspeople packed Newtown High School last night, where the president offered his condolences to the young lives lost in Friday's massacre.
"All across the land of ours, we wept with you," Obama said. "We have pulled our children tight. Whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide."
The president arrived in the New England town in the afternoon and met with many of the parents and students who were affected by the shooting that took the lives of 27 people, most of whom were children.
"The reason these stories have such an impact on us is because we can imagine how hard it can be," Obama said at an afternoon news conference.
Throughout the weekend, places of worship became a place for residents to reflect on the lives lost. At a Mass at St. Rose Catholic church, the priest's announcements included news that the Christmas pageant rehearsal would go on as planned, but without 6-year-old Olivia Engel, who was killed on Friday before she could play the role of an angel.
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