HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut observed a moment of silence at noon Monday in memory of soldiers with state ties who died overseas in 2007.

The managers of churches, office buildings and other structures with bells were also asked to toll those bells after the moment of silence concluded.

Eight people with Connecticut ties died in Iraq in 2007. Rell said about 100 Connecticut National Guard members are currently deployed in Iraq, and more than 300 are preparing to deploy next year.

People are also being invited to sign message books, which will be sent to Connecticut troops overseas.

A Lyme father and son traveled to the State Capitol to leave messages of support in one of the books on Monday.

"That I was thankful for all the hard decisions that they had to make because I know it's hard for them to be away from their families this holiday season," Robert Melchriet said.

His father, Richard Melchriet, said he hopes that the troops realize how much their sacrifices are apprecitated.

The books will be available Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the State Capitol in Hartford; from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Danbury's First Night headquarters in the Center City office building; and from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport.

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