The following was provided by the Office of Governor Chafee: Governor Lincoln Chafee has declared Friday, December 21, 2012 – the one-week anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT – a "Day of Mourning" in the State of Rhode Island. 

To honor the memory of the 26 victims who lost their lives in the shootings, the Governor has also called for a statewide moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. on that day and has asked that buildings, which have the ability, ring bells 26 times during that moment in honor of each life that was taken.

"The past week has been one of great pain for the community of Newtown, the State of Connecticut, and our country as a whole," Governor Chafee said. "Each day, we see reports of funeral services for children taken from their families too soon and educators who lost their lives trying to protect their precious students. It is my hope that Rhode Island's collective moment of reflection and remembrance this coming Friday will serve as a statewide demonstration of solidarity with our neighboring state and bring some small measure of comfort to its people during this trying time. The victims' families and all who have suffered as a result of this tragedy remain in the thoughts and prayers of the citizens of Rhode Island."

And for those of us in East Greenwich, we have the opportunity to do something that will build our own community while sending a BIG gesture of support to the people of Newtown.

Residents and those who work or go to school in EG are invited to participate in a giant photo op on Sunday at noon at EGHS's Carcieri Field. We will stand in the shape of a heart and the photo will be sent to Newtown Patch.