Former Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra became the national face of the tragedy at Sandy Hook School.  She called it one of the most impactful events in the history of the more than 300-year old community.

Llodra struggled for a long time after 12-14 in figuring out how to be an effective leader, while feeling so hurt for the families and the community.  She says understanding the hurt that families experience is something that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. 

She is still trying to develop a full understanding of how the town has had to integrate that experience into everything going forward.  For her, it was a lens through which she views government.  It reminded her of the humanity that leaders need.  She says a community is the people and that the service of leaders is to those people, not the artificial bricks and mortar.

Llodra says most people from outside of Newtown that she meets just want to express how deeply they were touched, and she gladly accepts what she calls their grace.  But, she said, there is a delicate balance between honoring the past and being defined by it.  She notes that the town has always been a safe place for families, with good schools.  Llodra has said in the past that the shooting was a defining moment for the town, but what happened doesn't define the town; noting that it has always been a safe and good place to live.

Llodra says she has been honored by the confidence of residents during her service, running without opposition after 2012 for two terms. She called it restorative, and helped her through difficult times.