Four of the nation’s most decorated military members – each a Medal of Honor recipient – were in Newtown Monday to honor the six educators killed Dec. 14 at the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School: behavioral therapist Rachel D’Avino, principal Dawn Hochsprung, teacher Anne Marie Murphy, teacher Lauren Rousseau, school psychologist Mary Sherlach and teacher Victoria Soto
“She attempted to protect a young student from the gunman when he entered her classroom,” Jack Jacobs, one of the Medal of Honor recipients on hand, said of Murphy.
“Not combat trained they were elementary educators, but their overwhelming thoughts and actions were to protect their children, regardless of the risks,” said Newtown School Superintendent Janet Robinson.
“ They paid the ultimate price and in doing so these amazing individuals taught us, a grateful nation, the definition of bravery and selflessness,” said medal recepient Tom Kelley.
The society also recognized the surviving Sandy Hook teachers and staff members.