One Year Later: Boston Remembered

On April 15, 2013, the nation was swept with shock when two bombs deto- nated on Boylston Street, ending the annual Boston Marathon in an unspeakable tragedy. Last Tuesday marked the one year anniversary of the Boston bomb- ing, and citizens, dignitaries and survivors convened at the site of bombing to commemorate the innocent victims of the tragedy. Although only a year has passed and the memories of the disaster still remains fresh, the time was enough for Boston to grow stronger.This past week, all who gathered on Boylston Street celebrated and me- morialized the 267 victims of the bombings, three dead and 264 injured. The 118th Boston Marathon held this past Monday was both a remembrance of the calamity and a portrayal of the slow but gradual emotional recovery of the people.This year’s marathon started in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, with over nearly 36,000 participants, about 9,000 more than last year. The 26 mile long race also attracted around a million spectators, many of whom witnessed the bombings. The crowd cheered on throughout the entire race. No shards of broken glass or fallen competitors lay on the finish line, and in its place was the original excitement of the world’s oldest annual marathon.

The restored festivity of the day was largely due to the enhanced security for the occasion. According to the Wall Street Journal, this year, the city of Boston had over 40 security checkpoints, some with metal detectors. Thirteen miles of barricade lined the course of the race, and thousands of police offi- cers and federal agents, doubled from last year, stood guard around the race’s perimeters. Undercover officers who had trained for a year specifically for the marathon aided the process. Surveillance cameras, including more than 100 in the city alone, reported to a central command center during the entire race. The increase in the number of security personnels and the incorporation of new policies clearly showed the progress the city has made and assured participants their safety.Although the grim aftermath of the bombing reminds us everyday of the tragedy, the progress that the city and its citizens have made is incredible. The entire nation has sympathized with those affected for the last year, andthe improved security system is slowly restoring the festivity of the event. Ultimately, the nation, as a whole, needs to maintain this jubilant progress. It is crucial to eliminate the remaining threats of our society to ensure the safety of the people and also continue events such as the Boston Marathon in order to sustain the overall prosperity of the country. As for us, the members of the Academy community, it is important to remember those who were affected, having a sense of gratitude for those who make our communities safe.