Citizens, city officials and even Vice President Joe Biden came together in Boston in memory and honor of the three who were killed and the 264 who were injured in the bombing at the Boston Marathon one year ago.
The city of Boston came together on Tuesday for a memorial, which gave a moment of silence at 2:49 p.m., the exact time the first bomb went off a year before, for those who lost their lives and were affected by the deadly blast.
On April 15, 2013, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev allegedly planted homemade explosives into backpacks and left them at the finish line of the Boston Marathon where they detonated shortly before 3 p.m., according to CNN.
Many people still have memories of what they were doing, and how they felt last year when they first heard about the Boston Marathon bombing.
Ramapo College junior, John Stewart, said, "I remember I was in my room listening to Michael Kay on the radio and he stopped talking about sports to report that a bomb had detonated at the Boston Marathon. I was relieved only three people had died."
Jaimie Towey, a sophomore, also remembers where she was, and the horrified feeling she had when the blasts went off.
"When I heard about it I was on campus in my room and my mom called me to turn the TV on. The first thing that came into my mind was my cousin who is a student at Boston College because I knew he was watching the marathon," Towey said.
After scrambling for information, Towey discovered that her cousin was in fact safe and sound.
"I just thought how horrible it was for the innocent people affected by the bomb," said Towey.
For other students, the bombing at Boston reminds them that national security is still an issue in the United States.
"I think the Boston bombings showed America that even with increased enforcement and intelligence, we are still vulnerable to attack," said Steve Aversa, a junior.
Despite the tragedy that happened last year, the Boston Marathon will be held again this year on Monday, April 21.
Ramapo College sophomore and cross-country runner, Paul Juelis, said that last year's Boston Marathon bombing would not hold him back from competing in a large marathon.
"What happened in Boston last year wouldn't discourage me from running a large race, but if I were to run a large race like the Boston Marathon, I would definitely be more cautious," said Juelis in an email.
While there is no doubt that the Boston Marathon bombing a year ago was a tragedy none of us will soon forget, the anniversary was an opportunity for the city to remember, heal and continue to be 'Boston Strong.'
"As a runner and an American, I think it is great that they are having the marathon this year again. It shows that we are not only strong, but also resilient," said Juelis.
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msalern2@ramapo.edu
