America was born on the foundation of freedom and the ability to pursue happiness. The people have the ability to pursue their own interests, but the majority often overlook those who keep the country safe and provide citizens with the opportunity to be free. Unfortunately, it takes an event like the bombing at the Boston Marathon to awaken the country.
Pictures of the chaos filled every media station in America; an act of terror occurred and it’s a shame that it took a crisis for citizens to realize how thankful they should be for those who defend the land.
Being the first major act of terror to take place on American soil since 9/11, the nation fell into a state of utter shock and sadness. Though sorrow should be paid to the victims of the disaster, the actions from the dreadful day must also be evaluated and the city of Boston should be applauded.
First and foremost, the police enforcement and security officers deserve acknowledgment. Although these men and women are specifically trained to handle dangerous altercations, nothing could have prepared any of them for the tragedy that struck at the finish line. They were forced to confront a critically intense situation where lives were at stake, but rather than panic, the immediate instinct of these officials was to help and protect the innocent people involved.
Most people do not realize that the police had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they put their uniforms on and took their shifts that day. They simply expected to monitor the marathon and perhaps enjoy the race. But the moment the bombs exploded, nothing else mattered to the them except for trying to help those injured and looking for a way to take care of the disaster.
In addition to the officers, runners of the race need to be acknowledged. Following a grueling 26.2 mile run, runners sprang into action and tried to help those wounded by the explosions. While there are times when humanity seems unbelievably selfish, especially in a competitive race, moments like these are a reminder that good still exists in the world. Anyone that will jump into the line of fire, and especially after completing an exhausting marathon, deserves recognition. It is utterly amazing that strangers, in fact opponents during the race, wanted to help one another in a time of terror. Rather than panicking and trying to escape the possibility of additional danger, the runners’ first instinct was to care for the injured.
After a four day manhunt for the twin brother suspects, Dzokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, that included an additional murder of an MIT Police Officer, the city of Boston can finally rest. A lock down shut the entire city of Boston down, but now people can rest knowing that justice has prevailed. And while the country reflects on this most recent tragedy, both the police and citizens must be recognized for their courageous actions over the last week. The hearts of all Americans go out to Boston. The country thanks the city for showcasing the strength the United States has to prevail through hardship, and for proving that there are still good people in this dangerous world.