Obama: ‘Even When Our Heart Aches… We Finish the Race.’
Mentioning scripture, sports teams, marathon icons, and harkening back to his days of living in the Boston area, President Barack Obama spoke during an interfaith service in the South End on Thursday. “Like you, Michelle and I have walked these streets. Like you, we know these neighborhoods. And like you, in this moment of grief, we join you in saying — ‘Boston, you’re my home.’ For millions of us, what happened on Monday is personal. It’s personal,” said Obama, from the Cathredal of the Holy Cross. President Obama was the last speaker in an emotionally-charged service that also included speeches, and a moving performance by the Boston Children’s Chorus. Click here for the full text of President Obama’s speech. Of the three victims, the president spoke of the liveliness of Medford native Krystle Campbell; Chinese national Lu Lingzi’s coming to BU as a grad student; and 8-year-old Martin Richard of Dorchester. President Obama mentioned a picture being widely circulated of Richard, holding a handwritten sign that read: “No more hurting people. Peace.” Obama repeated the phrase with emphasis. “Our prayers are with the injured — so many wounded, some gravely. From their beds, some are surely watching us gather here today,” said Obama. “And if you are, know this: As you begin this long journey of recovery, your city is with you. Your commonwealth is with you. Your country is with you. We will all be with you as you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of that I have no doubt. You will run again. You will run again.” Obama promised that whoever committed the heinous acts at the Boston Marathon would be found and brought to justice. But President Obama focused on the resiliency of Boston, and spoke with great pride in how Bostonians came together during the tragic events. “When doctors and nurses, police and firefighters and EMTs and Guardsmen run towards explosions to treat the wounded — that’s discipline,” said Obama. “When exhausted runners, including our troops and veterans — who never expected to see such carnage on the streets back home — become first responders themselves, tending to the injured — that’s real power.” Obama quoted one of the greatest Boston Marathon icons — Dick Hoyt, who has pushed his disabled son, Rick, in 31 Boston Marathons. “We can’t let something like this stop us.” And President Obama also placed a bet: “And this time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever, and to cheer even louder, for the 118th Boston Marathon. Bet on it.” South End Patch
Group Aims to Hold ‘Last Mile’ Run/Walk from Kenmore to Finish Line on Saturday
If you were one of the runners forced to end your Marathon early because of the bombings — or someone who just wants to show solidarity — a group is working to let you go “The Last Mile” on Saturday. Organizers are using Facebook to let people know of the effort. Here’s how they put it: So, as you have all heard by now, some coward likes to blow up trash cans. In doing so, this person or persons have hindered many from accomplishing something they have been training very hard to do over the past year. This is simple, we are going to Kenmore Square to finish the race for those who ran, and for those who can never run again. Share this with your friends, your families, your enemies, and anyone in between. Come join us and run, jog, walk, limp, wheel, or crawl that last mile. Organizers say they aren’t sure if they can get the proper permits in time. They also say that, clearly, if the stretch is still a crime scene they don’t want people jogging through and getting themselves arrested. Patch has reached out to organizers but hasn’t heard back from them yet. Some commenters on Facebook are saying it’s too soon for an event like this, with some pointing to the April 20 date (which is the anniversary of the Columbine Massacre) as a reason to choose a different day. Even if the last section of the Marathon is still cordoned off on Saturday, nearby Salem is hosting a “Last Mile” event of its own. Runners are gathering at the Salem Common at 6:45 p.m. Thursday. It’s part of a larger event including a candlelight vigil. Here is more information from the city of Salem. South End Patch
Scores Injured by Explosion at Boston Marathon Finish Line
Dozens of people were injured and two were reportedly killed by two explosions near the Boston Marathon finish line. There are multiple reports of victims with missing limbs, bloodied heads and other extremely serious injuries. WBZ-4 reported at least a dozen victims with “grave injuries.” “This is a horrific day in Boston,” Governor Deval Patrick said. “My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. I have been in touch with the President, Mayor Menino and our public safety leaders. Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured. I am asking everyone to stay away from Copley Square and let the first responders do their jobs.” Marathon Bombings: Important Phone Numbers, Websites Newtown Runners Reportedly ‘Safe’ Following Boston Tragedy Witness: ‘All of a Sudden Everyone Turned Around and Was Running in the Opposite Direction’ Foxborough Resident Maria Stephanos Describes Boston Marathon Explosion as ‘Very Chaotic’ Lexington Officials Respond to Boston Marathon Explosions Vineyard Runners Reported Safe after Marathon Explosions Cranston Councilman Works in Boston, Took Today Off Three EG Runners Confirmed OK after Bombs Explode at Boston Marathon Finish. Mansfield Resident at Marathon: All Hell Broke Lose Grafton Family Near Boston Marathon Finish Line When Bombs Explode Angie Miller Sends ‘My Heart to My Home’ Portsmouth Runner: Felt ‘Like a War Zone’ Medfield Marathoner Was Detoured Near Finish Line Running to Ministry: Church Reaches Out After Boston Marathon Explosions Tewksbury Nurse, ‘It Was Like A War Zone’ Tragedy Mars First Boston Marathon Veteran Milford Marathoner Describes a Chaotic Scene in Boston Exeter Marathon Runner ‘Grateful to be Alive’ Somerville Marathoner Guides Blind Runner Yards Away From Explosions “It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard it stopped us in our tracks,” said Marathon spectator Jennifer Curro. Updates below: The Park Plaza Castle will remain open as a resource center until 11 p.m. Monday and will reopen again at 9 .m. Tuesday. Residents can get several services there, including counseling services, sheltering services, find runner belongings and more. Displaces runners can stay at the Castle overnight. ***** 8:45 p.m. The FBI has taken over the investigation. Gov. Deval Patrick asked residents to have a “heightened vigilance” in the aftermath. Patrick said that the city of Boston will be open on Tuesday, but “not business as usual.” The “blast area” is considered a crime scene and the National Guard has secured it and is allowing limited access. The investigation will affect Copley Square in the next day or two as the investigation continues. “It will not […]