In the 26 days leading up to the Boston Marathon on April 21, ESPNBoston.com will share inspiring stories, detail important logistics and go inside the planning for what promises to be an event like no other in the wake of last year's bombings. There are five days until the race.
As part of the inspiring special on ESPN's E:60 -- “Dream On: Stories of Boston's Strongest” -- that aired Tuesday night, President Obama pays tribute to those affected by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
"Over the year since Boston was rocked by tragedy, a city and its survivors have persevered,” he says. “Their lives tell a story of resilience, a fierce resolve to rebuild what was broken, to reclaim what was threatened.
“We will never forget what happened on that spring day one year ago, but what we'll always remember is the promise of four lives cut short, the courage of our first responders, the determination of the wounded to walk and dance and -- yes -- to run again, the dedication of those who would stand by them on their journey.
“Tonight, even as we remember what we lost last April, we'll also be inspired by what we've gained: new friendship, new purpose, new love and, for the Red Sox, a new World Series banner.
“If you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to test and trial, you will see it tonight. We respond with compassion, with confidence, with pride. This year we learned the depth of Boston Strong, a city that’s known for fighting back, and a country that’s known for moving forward. For we are Americans. We work hard, we reach high, we hope deeply and we dream on.”
