Tidbits, Dec. 20: On Newtown and the holidays

It's a happy time of year for many, but we would be remiss in not mentioning the tragedy that occurred last Friday in Newtown, Conn. While the rest of us are wrapping up last-minute Christmas preparations, 26 families are facing a holiday without their beloved children, siblings, spouses and parents.

It's impossible to find the words to adequately articulate the loss they must feel, what we all felt after learning that 20 children, only 6 and 7 years old, were gunned down the morning of Dec. 14. That six teachers and administrators at the Sandy Hook Elementary School gave their lives to protect countless more youngsters. This isn't the first school shooting in America by far, but in some ways it is the most devastating and we've all had enough.

While debates rage on nationwide about gun control, help for the mentally ill and religion in public schools, what we can do is remember the victims and the heroes. To, as Fred Rogers once said, "look for the helpers" when we watch the horror unfold on TV. Policemen, emergency medical workers, volunteers, even a group of golden retrievers called Comfort Dogs that was brought to the grieving town. All deserve to have their good deeds recognized; after all, they're reminding us that the propensity for good in our world still surpasses the evil.

Flags around the Quad Cities were flown at half-staff to honor the dead, at the request of President Obama and Gov. Chris Gregoire. The Herald has asked for some input from local school and law enforcement authorities to help parents and children here cope with their worries. We hope to have something to share with you next week.

In the meantime, enjoy the remainder of your holidays. Be safe, be thankful, and may 2013 bring better days for us all.

This day in history

1606: The "Susan Constant," "Godspeed" and "Discovery" set sail from London. Their landing at Jamestown, Va., was the start of the first permanent English settlement in America.

1790: The first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I.

1803: The United States purchased the Louisiana territory from France for $15 million.

1860: South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union.

1879: Thomas Edison privately demonstrated his incandescent light at Menlo Park, N.J.

1963: The Berlin Wall was opened for the first time to West Berliners. It was only for the holiday season. It closed again on Jan. 6, 1964.

1998: In Houston, TX, a 27-year-old woman gave birth to the only known living set of octuplets.

2001: The U.S. Congress passed a $20 billion package to finance the war against terrorism taking place in Afghanistan.