Memorials pay tribute to Newtown victims

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH)-- The loss of 26 lives in Newtown has been felt miles outside of the quaint New England town. Makeshift memorials appear at nearly every corner.

"I wanted to put something down for the children, but more for the parents, the brothers, the sisters, the siblings. This thing ripples far and wide," said John Eaton, of Bridgeport.

Linda Rivers, from Coventry, said, "I just feel like we need to keep coming. It happened to those families but we also need to show that we are not too busy, this time of year, to show that we care."

She made the 45 minute drive here, with her young granddaughter, to drop off flowers and a balloon.

Across the street, someone has placed 26 paper lanterns on a grass field.

A few minutes down the road, 26 small Christmas trees have been put out front of a local store. The 20 trees for the children have angels on top.  The girls' trees are lit with pink lights, the boys' with blue. The red lights are for the six adults. Each tree has a bow on which a victim's name is written.

Shelja Patel, whose Dad owns a store in Newtown said, "I just think, just to show the faith and the hope that Newtown has in dealing with this tragedy."

Candles, teddy bears, paper angels and so many flowers are scattered throughout town. Signs show both the hurt and the appreciation felt here.

"I hope that if the families go by here, that as they keep looking and it gets bigger and bigger, that it will be an encouragement to them," said Rivers.

People and four-legged friends have come from all over, to also be here to support the first responders, who have had to deal with so much these past few days.

Bob Aldrich, who brought a therapy dog from Yale New Haven Hospital, said, "we were on our way out and I thought, well it might be nice just to stop at the police department for a minute. They've been through more than anybody should have to go through, so everybody was somber but they were happy to see him too.