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Boston Uncommon
It was truly a nightmare week as events in Boston unfolded. Like millions of other people around the world, it was difficult to tear myself away from news about the city. People from the Gillings School, Wellness Center and other people I knew were running the marathon. My sister was at mile 20 waiting for a friend. I was nervous and concerned. Were they ok? Thankfully, they all checked in over the first couple hours after the explosions. Everyone was accounted for, safe but traumatized by events. Searing images, sounds and words left no ambiguity: hundreds of people’s lives would be changed forever, some in terrible ways, by the evil that had occurred in Boston on what started out as a beautiful day, full of promise and joy.
My husband and I waited very near the finish line for my sister to finish the NYC Marathon more than 20 years ago. The excitement and thrill of completion were so palpable and infectious that we committed right then to run NYC the next year. We did, and it was a moment I will never forget. That someone could have turned such a collective, exhilarating experience into a nightmare is unimaginably evil.
Unfortunately, for Americans, it was another lesson that terrorism can happen anywhere, anytime, inexplicably and without warning. People near to the explosions seem to have reacted in heroic, amazing ways. Emergency responders mobilized quickly and effectively, because they had trained meticulously to do so. Over the next few years, as budget cuts take effect, it will be so critical that we not allow our preparedness efforts to deteriorate. As we saw this past week, preparedness saves lives.
Thinking of the people in Boston. Barbara
Comments
It is a horrible thing that happened. I agree with Rita though, the training definitely saved lives.
Rita Kelliher
04/23/2013
based on personal feedback from family members in Boston who were involved in the law enforcement as well as medical response to the events on Monday and Friday, you are spot on. The drills and training events were instrumental in the teams being prepared and confident in their response efforts. Preparedness did save lives
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The views expressed in this blog are Barbara Rimer’s alone and do not represent the views and policies of The University of North Carolina or the Gillings School.
Ben