A Grassroots Effort to Remember Henry Dang On The Anniversary Of His Death

As the year anniversary of the death of Henry Dang on Saturday, a grassroots effort to remember the 15-year-old has taken hold.

On October 29, participants in Heartlights for Henry have pledged to put a candle outside the fronts of their homes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“It is our hope that this "Heart Lights for Henry" lighting may in some way be a town-wide show of support for his friends and family,” the organizers, Karen Starr Giannelli and Kimberly Avery Pease, say on the Facebook page set up to advertise the effort. “In addition, Henry's life and death have affected so many....let this be a way for our community to join together in shedding some light toward peace, safety, and unity.”

More than 200 people have said they will participate on the Facebook page. Those participating are a cross section of people in the community, students, elderly, empty nesters and parents, she said.

“There’s a lot of people who share the same feeling,” Giannelli said.

Dang was killed around midnight on October 29, 2010 at the intersection of Spring and West streets. Dang, who was riding his bike home, was killed when he was hit by a car driven by Michael Koistinen, then an off-duty Windsor Locks police officer, who state police allege was drinking for several hours before the accident.

Koistinen, 25, of Suffield, is charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, and attempt to tamper with evidence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on November 23, 2010 in Hartford Superior Court and his next appearance is also November 18.

Giannelli said after Dang’s death there was an unheard sense of grief throughout the community. Even people, like herself, who had never met him, felt a sense of loss, she added.

Many teenagers in the community who knew Dang have not gotten over their grief, Giannelli said.

The idea of candles takes its cue from what was done after the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001, Giannelli said. People also put candles to show unity, she said.

“I thought it was very effective,” Giannelli said.
Giannelli said her vision and hope is that Dang’s family will be able through the town and see the candles everywhere Saturday night.

“This is something that is so simple and personal,” she said.

As part of the homecoming weekend activities, a memorial bench will be dedicated in Henry Dang’s honor at Windsor Locks High School. The ceremony is scheduled to take place around noon after the homecoming parade, school officials said.