Families of Boston Marathon Bombing Victims Gather to Commemorate 10th Anniversary of Tragedy

On Saturday morning, families of those killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing gathered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. Led by a bagpiper playing “The Bells of Dunblane”, the families slowly walked together to the memorial sites near the finish line and laid wreaths.

At each memorial site, marked with three stone pillars for the three victims, the families stood in silence. Flowers were placed at the memorials and a brief ceremony was held later in the day at the finish line of the marathon, where bells were rung.

Rick DesLauriers, who was planning to retire from his position as an FBI special agent in charge of the Boston division on April 15, 2013, was one of the first to hear the news of the bombings. He stayed in his job to help lead the FBI’s manhunt for the suspected bombers.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey joined the procession, both of whom were making their first runs for City Council when the bombing happened. DesLauriers reflected on the tragedy, saying, “But for a few minutes there, I just shook my head and said, ‘Gosh, I stayed in this job too long.’”

The FBI’s investigation, which was led by DesLauriers and his team, ultimately identified, located and apprehended the Boston Marathon bombing terrorists. The 10th anniversary of the tragedy serves as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of the victims and their families.