Letter to the Editor: Coping After Marathon Bombings

Dear Editor,

Between the Patch and the Dedham Times I’ve written many letters over the years.  I was a voice for my nephew when I felt he was treated unjustly, I fought for the right for the word Christmas to be allowed in the Christmas season.  I’ve challenged the status quo because I wanted to be the voice for so many that couldn’t let there voice be heard or simply for those not willing to step up and be counted. I did this because I wanted people to have an opinion one way or the other and express it even if that opinion didn’t agree with mine.

Anyways I think one thing we all agree on is the City of Boston has fought injustice since 1775. We were instrumental in the beginning of the American Revolution. The fact that the events of this past Monday that happened at our Marathon on our holiday really have a lot of different emotions going through us. My Brother Steve is a Boston Police Officer. The first thing I did when I heard this had happened was call him as he was initially supposed to do the detail at the Marathon that day. He was home safe with his wife and kids and shortly after I called he got the call to go in and he worked the crime scene that evening. He described the scene as movie only very real. He was really taken back.

This really bothered me personally because even though I’m no longer in High School Cross Country shape, I got back into running last year and am running this coming Sunday at the 5k at Mass Hospital School in Canton. This Sunday was just going to be another race for me. I do it more to challenge myself than anything else. After what happened Monday I decided for me personally that this race means so much more. I plan on running in honor of all of those affected by the events of Monday and to all the great Boston Police brother and sisters and all the other first responders that were there helping. I went out and bought a Boston Police Department t-shirt to wear proudly for my run.

We can’t let these people make us live in fear. Life goes on; the city will heal over time and come back better than ever. If our fore fathers can contribute to starting a nation than we should be stand tall, stand proud and not let these cowards win. That is why I’m running Sunday. I’m looking forward to the challenge with a lot more incentive. Boston is Strong and Boston will endure.

Thank you

Dan O’Neil