Yesterday,
the annual Boston Marathon was marred by unspeakable violence. Large explosions
turned the celebration into a horrific scene leaving three people dead and over
150 wounded. Boston is on high alert this morning as authorities comb through
the city’s blood stained streets in search of clues.
The
Boston Marathon draws thousands of runners from all over the world. It’s a
celebration of the first marathon competition in 1896 Olympics. Children, who
were out of school for the public holiday, were there with their parents. Among
the dead is an eight-year-old boy who was waiting for his father to cross the
finish line.
Doctors
say it was like a war zone. Witnesses say the explosions were so loud it
knocked them off their feet. According to nbcnews.com “two shrapnel-studded
bombs” were set off just seconds apart from each other at the culmination of
the marathon. Local Boston officials told NBC News that the bombs were “packed
with ball bearings to increase casualties.”
So
far doctors have performed ten amputations. Among the 29 patients being treated
for shrapnel wounds were brothers, in their early thirties, who each lost a leg
from the knee down. Most patients will require several more surgeries to repair
their mangled limbs.
President
Obama addressed the nation shortly after the bombings and vowed to bring the
perpetrator(s) to justice.
“We
will find who did this, and we will find out why they did this. Any responsible
individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.”
In
the midst of so much confusion and so many unanswered questions, one thing we
all can agree on is that those runners crossing the finish line deserved to do
so in peace.
This
morning Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, announced that an inter-faith
prayer service is being organized to help the city recover.
I
hope all those involved find peace.
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