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Heritage
Foundation
A
Nation That Is 'Boston Strong'
Amy
Payne
April
16, 2014
After
the bombing shattered the Boston Marathon last year, hundreds of
runners left their shoes behind in a spontaneous memorial. Many wrote
messages on them.
Those
are now part of an exhibit at the Boston Public Library—but
thousands of people added pairs of their own running shoes to an
outdoor memorial in addition to cards and flowers over the past few
days.
Boston
was a tragic reminder that terrorists still seek to do us harm, but
the survivors have amazed the country. Brothers Paul and J.P. Norden
each lost a leg in the attack last year. Yesterday, CNN reported that
they set out to walk the 26.2-mile marathon route with family and
friends.
As
President Obama said: “One year later, we also stand in awe of the
men and women who continue to inspire us—learning to stand, walk,
dance and run again.”
Following
memorials in Boston yesterday, this year’s marathon will take place
on April 21. It will be the second-largest in the history of the
race, with 36,000 official participants. Security will be tighter;
spectators won’t be able to join in and run alongside registered
runners, and there will be restrictions on bringing backpacks into
the area.
Those
changes show the continued adaptability of security and law
enforcement personnel on the ground—who responded bravely to the
bombing last year. It is imperative that individual Americans remain
vigilant and that our leaders continue to take a proactive approach
to stopping terrorism.
Terrorists
have succeeded in attacking the U.S. homeland four times since 9/11,
including the Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and
wounded at least 264 others. But more than 50 plots have been
thwarted before the public was in danger. At the one-year anniversary
of the Boston attack, it is worth taking a moment to be thankful for
all the safe events the nation has held in the past year.
And
thank you, Boston, for leading the way—for reminding us all that
the people of your city, and America, will not be intimidated.
“It
is time to take back Boylston Street and to take back the finish
line,” said race director Dave McGillivray. “It is time to run
again.”
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