BOSTON MARATHON – The Explosions in Boston – By Ambassador Philip D. Murphy

The Explosions in Boston
Berlin, April 16, 2013
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy

I am a Bostonian, by birth and for much of my life. We pride ourselves on being tough and resilient – just the way President Barack Obama described my home town last night.  Even being tough, there are some things that are just devastating.

I was absolutely shocked when I heard the terrible news about what had happened.  My first thoughts and concerns were obviously for the people of Boston, including many family members and friends who live there or near Boston.

I am also a marathon runner and an enormous sports fan.  For this to happen to what I think of as my city, on a day that thousands were gathered to celebrate personal achievement, endurance, and friendly competition is heartbreaking.

And I would like to thank everyone, from across Germany and from all over the world – President Gauck, Chancellor Merkel, Foreign Minister Westerwelle, individuals private and public, Minister Presidents and Mayors  who have been in touch to express their solidarity with Boston. Thank you for your prayers and your good wishes. There are so many of us who have been touched by this tragedy, who have felt sorrow and compassion for the families who lost loved ones yesterday or those who were injured.  I would like to thank all those who have expressed their sadness.    

The city that I was born in is resilient; and it will recover. Even just minutes after the attacks, images were already flooding the Internet of people running – not away from the explosions, to safety; but into danger and toward those who needed help.

That's the spirit of Boston,; that's the spirit of America; and that's the spirit we share when these kinds of senseless attacks draw us closer together instead of pushing us apart. Regardless of where we're from, today all of us stand with Boston.

Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit.

US-Ambassador Philip D. Murphy

Source: Embassy of the United States Berlin

Embassy of the United States Berlin

On 2013/04/16, in US-Politik, by AmerikaDienst

Originaltext: Boston Marathon