Giannini: Americans Will Always Be “Boston Strong”

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Joanne Giannini, GoLocal Worcester MINDSETTER™

It's been almost two years since that tragic day when the people of Boston were attacked and terrorized by the Boston Marathon bombings.

It was a beautiful sunny day on Patriots Day, April 15, 2013, and the 117th running of the Boston Marathon. Approximately 23,000 people had shown up to participate in the world's oldest marathon, which began in the town of Hopkinton, west of Boston, at 9:23 AM.

Spring was in the air and the excitement and pride to be participating in one of Boston's oldest traditions drew thousands to the marathon that day. Little did they know the horrific intentions of the two alleged bombers that day.

At approximately 2:49 PM, with more than 5,600 people still in the race and hundreds of spectators watching, two pressure cooker bombs packed with shrapnel and other materials were placed in backpacks that were left on the ground amidst a crowd of spectators. They exploded within seconds of each other near the finish line on Bolyston street.

Suddenly, a beautiful spring afternoon turned into a marathon of terror. Three spectators died: Krystle Marie Campbell, a 29 year old from Medford, Martin Richard, an 8 year old boy from Dorchester, and Lingzi Lu, a 23 year old Boston University graduate student from China. Later that week, Sean Collier, a 27 year old MIT police officer, was fatally shot by the alleged bombers while sitting in his police cruiser.

Moving the Trial?

The first day of the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev marathon bombing trial began on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Boston after two months of jury selection and nearly two years of court challenges. Tsarnaev's attorneys have continually sought to move the trial from Boston.

And so, my first thought is, why should they move the trial from Boston? The attorneys for Tsarnaev are arguing that he can not get a fair trial in Boston. It's interesting to hear them talk of fairness. Was it fair to the four dead victims or to the more than 260 people who were wounded? Sixteen people lost legs, the youngest being only 7 years old.

The trial indeed belongs in Boston, where the people of Boston and surrounding areas can witness the trial. The people of Boston deserve that right after the horrific escapades of the alleged terrorists. The victims of the bombings and their families are bravely starting to tell their stories in court. Victims who lost limbs, a father who watched his eight year old son die, and business owners who helped victims on the scene have begun to tell their never ending stories of tragedy and heartbreak.

The defense is now trying to portray the surviving 21 year old Tsarnaev brother as a reluctant participant, who was coerced into the bombings by his deceased brother Tamerlan, who was killed in a shootout with law enforcement after the bombings.

Before his capture, Tsarnaev reportedly scribbled a note on the boat that he was hiding in stating the bombings were committed in retaliation for the United States’ wars in Muslim countries.

What About the Widow?

An interesting side note to this is that unconfirmed reports by ABC News have said that the widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Katherine Russell, who lived in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, may be investigated as to whether she helped purchase five pressure cookers on a shopping spree in Macy's in Boston two months before the bombings. Two of those pressure cookers were allegedly involved in the bombings. The pressure may now be on Ms. Russell to answer questions from the FBI and other law enforcement authorities.

Cowards Who Lurk in the Shadows

At times of tragedies like this, we always remember where we were when the bombings occurred. I was in Florida with family because it was school vacation week. When the news came on announcing the bombings, my twenty five year old nephew said, "How could anyone do something so terrible to fellow human beings who were innocently just trying to enjoy the day with family and friends?” And that sums it up. The thousands of people attending the marathon that day were unsuspecting victims of the acts of terrorists who have no regard for human life or love for mankind. They are cowards who lurk in the shadows of terror and despair.

On the other hand, the unsung heroes of that day have showed that we, as Americans, are strong and will not turn our back on one another. The store owners, spectators, runners and first responders that day showed amazing courage and compassion. Amidst the gruesome scene were tales of people helping injured victims and other spectators to safety. It is at times like these, that Americans shine and show why we are the United States of America.

Heroes and Courage

We read of the amazing courage of Rhode Island's Heather Abbott, who lost her leg in the bombing. She has shown tremendous strength and good will in starting "The Heather Abbott Foundation" to help other amputees obtain prosthetic devices. Heather is a role model for us, someone to look up to in times of feeling down and discouraged.

Out of this terrible tragedy, came a remarkable truth. For every terrorist that may come our way, we as Americans will have hundreds if not thousands of good people willing to help and show their love of mankind. And for this we can all be proud.

Our flag waved highly that day to remind us all that we are, and will continue to be, "Boston Strong.”

Joanne Giannini served as a RI State Representative from Providence from 1994 to 2010. She has previously written commentaries for the Providence Journal and the Federal Hill Gazette. During her tenure in the General Assembly, she made appearances on CNN, Primetime News, and American Morning regarding legislation she filed in Rhode Island.