Five years after attack, Boston mourns
Aftermath has united residents, attendee says
BOSTON — The bells of Old South Church in Boston rang at 2:49 p.m. to commemorate a citywide moment of silence in honor of Boston Marathon bombing survivors and victims.
It was an emotional moment in a day filled with service projects and ceremonies to remember those affected by the deadly bombings five years ago.
Boston began the anniversary of the attacks Sunday with Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker laying wreaths early in the morning at the spots along downtown Boylston Street where two bombs killed three spectators and maimed more than 260 others April 15, 2013.
Both addressed families and survivors at a private ceremony inside the Boston Public Library.
“On April 15, 2013, our city changed forever, but over the last five years, we have reclaimed hope. We have reclaimed the finish line and Boston has emerged with a new strength, a resilience rooted in love,” Walsh said.
Jane and Henry Richard, siblings of the youngest victim, Martin Richard, and members of the family’s foundation also spoke.
Henry Richard urged those listening to follow Martin’s message to “choose kindness and do more.” The family’s foundation was created in 2014 to connect young people with opportunities for volunteerism and community engagement.
Victim Lingzi Lu’s uncle, Sherman Yee, was at the ceremony and pri- vate gathering. He said “The family has been overwhelmed by love and support from all over the world.” He called Lingzi an “extraordinary girl” who represented the youth that come to the U.S. from China to study.
“While she didn’t realize her dreams, as her family we invest in the youths through our foundation to keep her memory going,” he said.
The bombs also killed 29-year-old Krystle Campbell, of Arlington. Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer Sean Collier was killed during a confrontation with bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Arreen Andrew, of Boston, said she was in the crowd across the stand when the first bomb went off.
“It was sheer panic,” she recalled. Five years later, she said it has become a day about relationships that have been formed and “reformed and recreated our entire community.”