A large crowd gathered at the corner of East Avenue and Philpot Street this morning to remember the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting.

The shooting took place one week ago today.

Dr. DeWayne New, pastor of New Harmony Baptist Church delivered a short message, along with a prayer.

“I know that we’re here for a moment of silence, but what does that mean? What good does that do? Let’s not just have silence, let’s pray. Let’s pray for the victims’ families and for Newtown,” New said.

“We need to quit being silent. We need to pray.”

Cedartown Fire Department Assistant Chief Lee Wilkerson sounded the city’s fire bell 26 times – one time for each of the lives lost on Dec. 14.

On Wednesday, City of Cedartown firefighters crafted white crosses bearing the names of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims Wednesday morning.

Late Wednesday afternoon, they placed the crosses – 20 small ones representing the children, and six larger ones representing the adults -- on the front lawn of Cedartown’s City Hall. The crosses also included green and white ribbons, representing Sandy Hook’s school colors.

By Thursday morning, an anonymous individual had placed stuffed animals at the base of each cross.

“For me, it was personal,” said firefighter Drenn Morgan. “Me and my wife have four children at home. The city asked if we could do it and all of us – from the captain on down – thought it would be a special way to remember the victims,” explained Morgan. “We took it a step further by adding the victims’ names to the crosses and adding the ribbons. It hits home. You know, most of us here at the fire department have kids and to hear about something like that – it affects you.”

Another memorial event will be held Saturday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Nathan Dean Complex off of Highway 278 in Rockmart.

This event was organized by private citizens and began as a social networking campaign.

Organizers said there will be a balloon release and Rockmart Mayor Steve Smith will offer a show of support.