Cottonwood Prayer Service

Words don't come easy after losing a loved one, but tonight, the community of Cottonwood and the state of Minnesota offered comfort to the families who lost children in Tuesday's bus crash.

The saddest of days! That's what Governor Tim Pawlenty said as he spoke at a special prayer service honoring the victims, while trying to bring comfort to a grieving community. 

If there are strength in numbers, then that must be how the town of Cottonwood is able to lift each other up during these difficult times. 

At this special prayer service, Pawlenty told the packed crowd, while it happened in southwest Minnesota, they're not alone in this tragedy. 

"On behalf of the whole state of Minnesota I want to say how much we hurt for these families and this community and we are united in our grief and the arms of Minnesota embrace you tonight," said Pawlenty. 

Senator Norm Coleman, who lost two children of his own, shared how neighbors help during tragedies. 

"What we learned from our own experience is that your friends multiply your joys and half your sorrows, in the deepest moments that there's something about faith and God that lifts you up," said Coleman. 

Senator Amy Klobuchar says no parent wants to imagine something so devastating could ever happen. But when it does, they should lean on each other for strength and support as they remember the four children who lost their lives too soon. 

"This may be a small community in population but it is a large community in spirit," said Klobuchar.