Sandy Hook vigil to be held in Huntington

Michael Raspantini saw firsthand the grief that washed over the Newtown, Conn., community after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting when he went there as a reporter last week.

Raspantini, owner of the Huntington Buzz online newspaper, went to Newtown as the eyes of his community, and upon returning, found that people at home were in mourning, as well.

Immediately, he began to plan a Sandy Hook candlelight vigil in Huntington, which will take place at 4 p.m. Dec. 27 in the boardroom at Huntington Town Hall.

The “Interfaith BYOC (bring your own candle) Vigil” is intended to pay respect for all the people who suffered because of the shooting.

“This is a national event,” he said. “We need unity, positive energy and to get inspired.”

Raspantini, with the help of Angelica Cubides, a Huntington resident who volunteers with the nonprofit World Peace Prayer Society, has invited clergy from various denominations to speak at the vigil, including the Rev. Mark Moore of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook.

After a meditative ceremony, the crowd will be led to the front lawn of town hall for the candlelight vigil.

Raspantini, 31, of Huntington, said he hopes the event will comfort people and bring them together after the last few months have been filled with tragedy.

“I feel that when these events happen, that we the people, should all come together for humanity,” he said. “I feel that we have a responsibility.”

Above: Kyrsten Aberg, 3, of Ronkonkoma, listens to prayer during a public vigil at Moloney's Lake Funeral Home in Lake Ronkonkoma in memory of the lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School. (Dec. 18, 2012)