It’s been a whirlwind of a year in Massachusetts and, in Boston in particular, it seems as if we’ve experienced every possible feeling on the emotional spectrum. We dealt with tragedy and grief, victory and pride, and in the end consolidated to close 2013 on a positive note while ushering in a new mayor – the personification of a new chapter in the annals of Boston history. It’s no surprise, in that regard, that the catastrophic Boston Marathon bombings has been named story of the year by Massachusetts state government reporters.
The Beacon Hill press corps decided on 10 noteworthy stories in and around the Commonwealth that all exemplify how the Bay State is nearly always on the front lines of politics at all levels, athletics, technology and social issues.
According to Wicked Local’s Beverly chapter, “The marathon bombing and its aftermath, which claimed the lives of four and severely injured scores more, topped every ballot cast for top story of the year by the scribes who spend their days on Beacon Hill.”
And really, how could it not? It was given the same designation by the Associated Press’ sports department and to this day continues to be seared into the minds of Bostonians and those directly affected by the carnage.
The dual explosions claimed the lives of Richard Martin, 8, Krystal Campbell, 29, and Lu Lingzi, a Chinese graduate student at Boston University, on site, while the chase for the suspects resulted in the cold-blooded murder of MIT police officer Sean Collier. Some 264 spectators were subsequently injured, many subjected to amputation, and the entire city of Boston was put under lock down.
But as American revolutionary Thomas Paine once noted, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” and what a glorious triumph it was. The consolidated efforts of Boston, Cambridge and Watertown police and fire departments alongside Massachusetts State Police and the FBI in catching the main suspect brought residents out onto the streets in jubilation, proud of their city’s public servants and thankful for their unwavering courageousness.
And while many of us here would be more than happy to completely erase that fateful April 15 from our memories, if nothing else, the event having been named story of the year is a testament to all of those who continue to work on behalf of Boston residents and beyond.
[Image via handicapthis.com]
