Yuma service Saturday for Sandy Hook victims

A public memorial service will be held Saturday for the victims of Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The service will begin at 10 a.m. at Johnson Mortuary, 1415 S. 1st Ave. Yuma-area clergy from various denominations will speak during the event, live music will be performed by Oscar Chavez and a bell will be rung once for each victim of the shooting.

“I feel it is important to honor them,” said Andrew Gonzalez, general manager of Johnson Mortuary. “Just like the entire community in Yuma, we saw what was happening and we were definitely affected ourselves that such a tragedy could occur. We feel that we need to acknowledge that.”

Gonzalez hopes the memorial ceremony will give people an opportunity to mourn together. “We are inviting the entire community to come out and express their grief.”

Attendees are encouraged to sign a registration book and to write a message of hope to the families and friends of the victims. Messages also will be collected from students at Yuma schools after they return from holiday break. The messages will be sent to the residents of Newtown, Conn.

For more information, call 782-4384.