Yesterday was Patriot’s Day, a day of significance in the hearts of greater Bostonians. Silverbelle Babs sent a poignant reminder of why this day holds a special place in her own heart.
https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2023/04/15/walk-with-me-down-memory-lane-boston-marathon-redux/
The bombing was a shocking event with an impact that far exceeded its real world tragedy. We were shaken to our core, perhaps because among its victims was the sense of optimism that is brought forth by the Marathon, baseball, and Spring.
We all have our different ways of paying tribute. I happen to be someone who observes life through the prism of the impact that it has on baseball, and Patriot’s Day, 2013 was the first indicator that it was going to be a special year for the Boston Red Sox:
from https://truckday2duckday.wordpress.com/
April 16 (Patriot’s Day), 2013
Mike Napoli scores Dustin Pedroia with a ninth inning double as Sox sweep Rays.
Three killed, scores injured as bomb blasts rip through crowds at Marathon finish line. Chaos and confusion reign.
Patriot’s Day … morning baseball … 117th running … Heartbreak Hill. The joy of a uniquely Boston day has been forever spoiled.
April 17
Stories abound of tragedy, heroism, and irony in wake of bombing. Fear and anger are everywhere as grim hunt for answers begins.
Sox top Tribe 7-2 behind Doubront in first meeting with ex-skipper Terry Francona. Yankees pay tribute to Boston victims. Jonny Gomes suggests rallying behind phrase “617- Boston Strong.”
April 18
RIP Boston University graduate student Lingzi Lu, 23, who was from the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang.
Police identify suspect.
Grief, defiance, unity, anguish … stories abound.
Mike Carp and bullpen lead Sox past Indians.
RIP Frank Bank, who played “Lumpy” on “Leave It To Beaver”
April 19
Boston is in full-blown lockdown mode. After an MIT policeman is killed, an early morning shootout takes place in Watertown in which suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, is killed. Manhunt ensues for younger brother Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, a 19 year old college student. Drama ends at 8:45 when suspect pulled from his hiding place in a boat parked behind a house on Franklin Street.
Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev is described by most of his classmates as a likable, good-natured guy.
Boston breathes a sigh of relief. Red Sox complete sweep of Indians, 6-3 behind Jon Lester, have now won 6 straight.
The event became fodder for a Hollywood film:
But Silverbelle Babs did a much better job of capturing the Zeitgeist of the day!
What a gripping post! Fascinating juxtaposition between the Premier Boston sports – Red Sox and the Marathon. Touching tribute to Martin with his poster. I got choked up reading – and reliving – that day.
It’s a day that lives in infamy, etched into our consciousnesses. The impact was just so shocking and unexpected. Unfortunately, we see so many tragedies unfolding each night on the national news.