For the Hero's in Boston

April 15, 2013

Its Patriots Day, a civic holiday that commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution. It is celebrated and observed yearly with the Boston Marathon. By now you know what comes next... what was to be a moment of celebration for the on-lookers and all the runners instead turned into horror, explosions and blood shed.

Martin Richard has been identified as the 8-year-old boy who was one of the three people killed by one of the blasts. He and his family lived in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Martin was running up to the finish line to congratulate his dad (Bill Richard) on completing the race. His mother, Denise, sustained critical injuries and his sister, Jane, suffered extensive injury to one of her legs. 

There were 176 injuries. 3 deaths. There were countless number of heroes that day and to me Martin Richard is among those heroes.

A SIGN OF HOPE

Martin Richard had recently participated in a peace rally at his school... this is a photo of him and a sign he made - his message is now ever so more poignant: "No More Hurting People" followed by the word "Peace."

© Lucia Brawley/Facebook

One of the other hero's of the day was initially known as " The Hero in a Cowboy Hat" - his name is Carlos Arredondo. 

©Charles Krupa/AP

Carlos Arredondo, originally from Costa Rica immigrated to the US illegally. He had two sons. One son was killed while serving in Iraq, his other son committed suicide shortly after America pulled out of Iraq. After his son's death's Arredondo became an outspoken peace activist.

Standing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, handing out American flags in honor of his sons and those lives lost in the fight against terror Arredondo found himself in the center of the explosions.  Instead of running to safety he ran towards the explosions in an effort to help those who were wounded.

ALL THOSE QUESTIONS

Focusing on why this happened puts needless attention on those responsible for this horrible crime - instead of letting hate overwhelm you, instead of spending hours musing who is behind this act of terrorism I offer that it is far more beneficial to put our focus on the heroes of the day. 

THE HEROES OF THE DAY

As President Obama stated on Tuesday (4/16/13): 

"What the world saw yesterday in the aftermath of the explosions were stories of heroism and kindness, and generosity and love:  Exhausted runners who kept running to the nearest hospital to give blood, and those who stayed to tend to the wounded, some tearing off their own clothes to make tourniquets.  The first responders who ran into the chaos to save lives.  The men and women who are still treating the wounded at some of the best hospitals in the world, and the medical students who hurried to help, saying “When we heard, we all came in.”  The priests who opened their churches and ministered to the hurt and the fearful.  And the good people of Boston who opened their homes to the victims of this attack and those shaken by it.

So, if you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil — that’s it.  Selflessly.  Compassionately.  Unafraid. "

HOPE

Let us all continue to glean inspiration and encouragement from the outpouring of compassion and acts bravery shown on Monday. Soon after the explosions this was projected on the wall of the Brooklyn Academy of Music... I whole heartily believe in its message:

My prayers go out to everyone affected by this senseless act.