Every year, thousands of people flood the streets of Boston in support of the dedicated runners taking part in the world famous Boston Marathon. And 2015 was no different as crowds cheered when Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa crossed the finish line first, reclaiming the top spot in a race he won two years ago, the year the marathon was struck by a deadly bombing attack.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since that tragic day. But as so often happens around the world, tragedy brought Boston together - #BostonStrong immediately started trending on social media (a rally cry Desisa echoes this year while crossing the finish line) and attention shifted to the 3 people killed and hundreds injured in the attack and the brave men and women who were first responders on the scene.
Officer Javier Pagan (pictured far left) was among those first responders, pictured in several photographs documenting the aftermath of the Boston attacks and, later, on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The Boston Police Department’s liaison to the LGBT community, Pagan’s husband is also a hero ‑ Pedro is a retired NYPD sergeant who helped rescue victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Today, we celebrate Pagan and all of the brave men and women affected by that tragic day. Boston is indeed an incredible city packed with incredible people. #BostonStrong.
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