Patriots’ Day is none other than a sacred holiday in the city of Boston. It’s a day that is trademarked by an 11am Red Sox game and of course, the Boston Marathon. For a Bostonian, Patriots’ Day is about spending time in the early spring sun with family and friends and watching the runners go by. Thousands of runners line up in the morning either to fulfill a life-long dream of running a marathon or at least to reward themselves for months of training. Beyond that, hundreds of thousands of Bostonians line the 26.2 mile course to cheer on and support those runners. It’s truly a day when people come out to cheer on fellow human beings in what is essentially a feat that defies biology. In a city full of fast-walkers and aggressive drivers, the feeling of friendliness isn’t always present. That is, of course, on every day other than Patriots’ Day. For one day a year, the entire city of Boston comes together to support those brave enough to attempt the marathon. Patriots’ Day marks the official start of spring in Boston when people look up at the blue sky and smile instead of lowering their heads to power through a snowstorm.
Patriots’ Day of 2013, however, will forever be marked by tragedy. Shortly before 3pm, a bomb was detonated at the finish line of the marathon on Boylston Street. That detonation was then followed by another 100 yards back on the course. The blasts sent thousands of participants and spectators running for their lives. The Associated Press is reporting over 140 injuries and at least 3 fatalities. Watching the video of the first bombing and seeing the people sprint to the site of the blast is what inspires hope for humanity. Why someone would strike a city full of smiles on its proudest day of the year is beyond me, but seeing the Bostonians instantly try to help in any way they could is what makes us proud to be from this city.
Boston is a strong city and will no doubt rebound from this horrific event. President Obama put it best saying, “Boston is a tough and resilient town, and so are its people.” We have never suffered a terrorist attack like this, but if the reaction on Monday is any indication of how we will move forward, there is no doubt that we will endure. While our hearts will forever be with the victims of Monday’s attacks, we will resume a normal life, and smiles will eventually return to the faces of Bostonians. Someone decided to test our resolve as a people, and the city of Boston, the state of Massachusetts as a whole, lived up to the name of the holiday. Monday truly was a display of patriotism.
Conrad's Corner Sports 