NORWALK — Visitors to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk are invited to write – and read – messages of hope and strength on Ben’s Lighthouse, a 20-foot lighthouse that honors the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The large model lighthouse was built in memory of lighthouse enthusiast Ben Wheeler, age 6, who died in the 2012 tragedy. The mission of the lighthouse and the not-for-profit Ben’s Lighthouse Fund is to honor those who were killed on 12/14 and to promote healing, coping and strength.

The lighthouse has 20 windows, individually painted, to personify the unique children killed that day. The six sides of the lighthouse represent the six educators who stood tall to protect the students. It’s painted green and white, the school’s colors.

Maritime Aquarium visitors are invited to use chalk to write messages “of hope, love and light” on the lighthouse, which will be on display through late January.

This is not the first connection between Ben and The Maritime Aquarium, which presents an annual “Festival of Lighthouses Contest.” A lighthouse built by a Newtown woman for the 2012 exhibit briefly left The Maritime Aquarium to be one of many lighthouses displayed at Ben’s wake.

Learn more about the lighthouse and its organization at .www.benslighthouse.org

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is at 10 North Water Street. It is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). For additional information including directions and admissions, call 203-852-0700 or visit maritimeaquarium.org.