For Many, Obama Visit is Start of Healing Journey
The two blasts that rocked the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon caused physical damage to Boylston Street and killed or injured hundreds of innocent people. News of the bombing traveled backward along the 26.2-mile course instantaneously, affecting every inch of the annual race. Three days later in a new, high-security Boston, local dignitaries, political officials, families of the three people who were killed in the bombings, hundreds of Boston Athletic Association volunteers, Boston Police, fire and medical personnel and The First Family gathered at the Church of the Holy Cross for an interfaith service in Boston’s South End to pray for the victims and to attempt to close this dark chapter of the marathon’s 117 year history. President Barack Obama stirred the solemn crowd with a speech that highlighted the display of strength of a close-knit city and especially the victims. “Know this,” he said. “As you begin this long journey to recovery: your city is with you, your Commonwealth is with you, your country is with you, we will all be with you for when you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of that I have no doubt: You will run again.” Hopkinton volunteers find solace in president’s words Monday, April 15 was as beautiful a race-day one could ask for. When the bombs went off at 2:49 p.m., the shockwave of information reached Hopkinton as fast as it takes to send a text message. There stood Boston Athletic Association volunteers Patryk Kornecki and Robert George, sending runners off at the starting line on Main Street. When the bombs went off they’d already wrapped up their day’s work, but knew that pain and fear would lie ahead. They were in attendance along with several volunteers wearing blue and white Boston Marathon jackets in a show of strength and solidarity, rising to simultaneously defy the bombers and be at the sides of the victims. “The thing is…our whole society was down,” George, 21, said in an interview after the ceremony, “With President Obama giving such a moving speech it just uplifted the whole society.” George said the show of support since Monday has filled him with a sense of pride for the running community and the people of Massachusetts. “It gives a sense of pride, of devotion to the whole community to rise again, to forget about the tragedies…and look toward a better future,” he said. Wellesley attendees drew strength from meaning of Patriots’ Day Up the road, at mile marker 13.1 in Wellesley, Marathon Monday is nothing short of Mardi Gras. The Wellesley College women form the “scream tunnel,” where […]