Newtown Funerals: Firefighters Line Procession Route For Daniel Barden, 7, Who Wanted To Be One

NEWTOWN, Conn., — Seven-year-old Daniel Barden wanted to be a firefighter.

One of the 26 victims slain when Adam Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday, sadly Daniel never got the chance to grow up.

Today, firefighters from as far away as New York lined the funeral procession as Daniel’s coffin was taken to the St Rose of Lima Church. The firefighters formed an honor guard along the road, tweeted NBC reporter Kimberley Kaplan.

Also in attendance were Daniel’s parents, Mark and Jackie, brother, James, 12 and sister, Natalie, 10.

Described as a “light … always smiling, unfailingly polite, incredibly affectionate, fair and so thoughtful towards others, imaginative in play, both intelligent and articulate in conversation: in all, a constant source of laughter and joy,” these are the memories Daniel’s parents shared with the Wall Street Journal.

The fifth child funeral in a week that has already seen four children buried — Jessica Rekos, James Mattioli, Jack Pinto and Noah Pozner — a further two children will be laid to rest today. Their names are Charlotte Bacon and Caroline Previdi, both were 6-years-old.

Victoria Soto, 27, the first grade teacher who reportedly hid youngsters in her classroom closet and told Lanza that the children were at the other end of the school will also be buried today.

On the same day that firefighters made the journey to Newtown, President Obama declared his intention to tackle the related issues of mental health gun access, gun violence, culture, and control in his second term.

After revealing Vice President Joe Biden will head up a portfolio of proposals, Obama confirmed that he would submit these proposals before Congress when it reconvenes in January.

The press conference today comes as House Republicans underscored their opposition to new legislation on firearms or ammunition, notes the New York Times.

“This time, the words need to lead to action,” Obama said today.

For the sake of Daniel Barden, the 19 other children who will — in total — be buried, and the victims of massacres past, many will be hoping the President is ready for the fight ahead.