Norwich residents to take part in statewide observances on Friday morning honoring those lost in the Newtown tragedy.



Friends of the Norwich Bells asks that citizens of Norwich ring bells at 9:30 AM on December 21 as part of a statewide recognition of lives lost last Friday in Newtown. Governor Malloy has requested that the state observe a moment of silence at that time and that houses of worship and other buildings sound their bells one week after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.



“We hope that churches, municipal buildings and private citizens will ring bells this coming Friday to honor the innocent lives lost and those devastated in last weeks shootings”, said Kevin Harkins, president of Friends of the Norwich Bells. “The governor has asked that Connecticut residents observe a moment of silence at nine thirty AM, and that bells be rung twenty six times”, said Harkins, referring to Governor Malloy’s remarks at a Monday press conference.



Harkins suggests that individual citizens can take part in the solemn remembrance as well with the ringing of smaller bells for one minute outside their homes or on town greens.



“In ways we don’t completely understand, the ringing of bells can provide an atmosphere for hope and healing”, said Richard Hamar, who sits on the board of directors of Friends of the Norwich Bells.



Friends of the Norwich Bells is a community based group dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of bells in Norwich, Connecticut. It’s members have been active in the work of the Emancipation Proclamation Commemoration Committee and the American Bell Association International INC. The group is preparing to release a CD album of over one hundred of the city’s bells in 2013.