Boston bombings & aftermath: Everything happened so fast

EDGEWATER -- Can you believe what this country went through this past week in Boston and its neighboring communities? Not since 9/11 have we as Americans been so glued to our television sets, and of course, the internet. The media coverage was instant, continuous, and for once, I didn’t disagree with that because events were happening so fast.

If this had happened even five years ago the plethora of surveillance cameras, cell phone cameras and recorders would not have hastened the identification of the bombers as it did this week.

If this had happened even five years ago the plethora of surveillance cameras, cell phone cameras and recorders would not have hastened the identification of the bombers as it did this week.

Not only did store cameras cacht the happenings, but so many people used their electronic resources -- video cameras and tablet and cell phone videos -- and turned them in to authorities leading to the rapid identification of the perpetrators.

And let us not forget the brave citizen who found the boy in the boat. He easily could have been killed if nearby Watertown and the surrounding areas had not been locked down. The longer that went on the more blood the young man lost and along with it the ability to shoot anyone else.

Yes, he did shoot at police after he was cornered but I doubt he had much aim left. The pace of this investigation was stunning. They kept their findings under wraps until it became necessary to include the population in identifying the suspects. Not an easy thing to do with so many agencies and people involved.

It was heartening to see the different groups all cooperating with each other with the single purpose of catching whoever had the audacity to attack people on our soil and keep the rest of the population safe at the same time. The fire at the JFK library coming as it did on Marathon Day made us all think there was a conspiracy going on and no one anywhere was safe.  

As a nation, we all are praying for the families and friends of those injured and those killed. We ask God to heal those with shattered or missing limbs and everyone and all who were affected mentally and physically or both.

As a nation, we all are praying for the families and friends of those injured and those killed. We ask God to heal those with shattered or missing limbs and everyone and all who were affected mentally and physically or both.

The first responders who run toward the blasts are to be commended as are the just plain folks who stayed put to help the injured. Such selflessness is what this country is based on and made of.

We can be proud of how we reacted and handled all these events. I know many will rally and help the people of Boston to recover and rebuild.

Today we can all say we are proud to be Americans. We showed the world what we are made of and any one out there will think twice before trying to attack us again.

God Bless America!