City firefighters Drenn Morgan, Jason Shuman and Jose Navarez place the crosses in the ground Wednesday afternoon.
Late Wednesday afternoon, they placed the 26 crosses – 20 small ones representing the children, and six larger ones representing the adults -- on the front lawn of Cedartown’s City Hall.
The crosses also included green and white ribbons, representing Sandy Hook’s school colors.
“For me, it was personal,” said firefighter Drenn Morgan. “Me and my wife have four children at home. The city asked if we could do it and all of us – from the captain on down – thought it would be a special way to remember the victims,” explained Morgan. “We took it a step further by adding the victims’ names to the crosses and adding the ribbons. It hits home. You know, most of us here at the fire department have kids and to hear about something like that – it affects you.”
The City of Cedartown, via a request from the Georgia Municipal Association, is encouraging local residents and clergy to join city employees on Friday, Dec. 21, at 9:30 a.m., for a moment of quiet reflection and prayer in honor of the victims, their families and their community.
The event will take place near the white cross memorial at the corner of West Avenue and Philpot Street in Cedartown.
The city is also encouraging churches to ring their bells 26 times beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21.
St. James Episcopal Church in Cedartown will also hold a memorial service beginning at 9:30 a.m.. The church is located at the corner of Bradford Street and East Avenue.
Their church bells will ring 26 times in memory of each victim. Father Dunagan and Cedartown City Commissioner Larry Odom will offer words of encouragement.
Another memorial event will be held Saturday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Nathan Dean Complex off of Highway 278 in Rockmart.
This event was organized by private citizens and began as a social networking campaign.
Organizers said there will be a balloon release and Rockmart Mayor Steve Smith will offer a show of support.
To the person that placed the teddy bears at the memorial, "thank you". You have inspired me. I have decided to fight the evil in this world by doing random acts of kindness. Everyone join in and honor the children and teachers of sandy hook with random acts of kindness.