Farmall Cub

At the finish of the Boston Marathon 2 bombs exploded so far 23 injured and 2 dead, Boston Police announced they have found 2 more bombs. I had friends there and also running. This is another horrible attack of some sort. Bob Perry and his son Jim both work for ambulance companies in the city.

I just don't understand this at all. The point of the incident???? It is beyond comprehension

We have a couple local folks from here running in the marathon as well. They go down every year. Em and I are praying for all those at the marathon and their families. (+)

Jim no longer works the ambulance. Haven't heard from Bob. If he's working, cell communication has been shut off, in Boston, so he won't be able to communicate. Ed

Just spoke with Bob Perry. He left work, at 7 am, today. Jim was working in a building close enough, to hear and feel the blast. He's ok. Ed

I now work for a technology company with an office in a building 200 yards and 21 stories up from the blast. Throughout the day today I watched runners cross the finish line.

For those not familiar with Boston, Patriot's Day is the quintessential New England holiday whose events include the marathon, an early Red Sox game, and an overwhelming sense of joy as we welcome spring. Early this morning a radio talk personality told listeners that the best time to watch the marathon's finish line was in the mid afternoon after professional athletes have been crowned and interviewed. Mid afternoon finishers include student athletes, Moms and Dads, and people that raised money in support of nonprofit organizations. You can imagine the emotion as amateur athletes cross the finish line after months of wintertime preparation. Mid afternoon is when the bombs went off.

From 200 yards and 21 stories up I felt both blasts in my chest. They were certainly powerful. When we heard the blasts, my coworkers and I jumped up and saw the chaotic scene that is being replayed on TV right now. I left the building almost immediately.

Within 10-20 minutes cell phone towers were shut off to prevent the detonation of bombs activated by cell signal, T (subway) transit was halted abruptly, and the bus company I use cancelled all commuter service in and out of the city.

Needless to say my wife and son got big hugs when I got home.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those the victims and their families.

Jim, we're all glad you are safe. Thanks for the front line update. As for those big family hugs, I know exactly what you mean. My daughter never heads for home from here without her daddy squeezing the daylights out of her.

Barnyard wrote:Jim, we're all glad you are safe. Thanks for the front line update. As for those big family hugs, I know exactly what you mean. My daughter never heads for home from here without her daddy squeezing the daylights out of her.

Glad you are safe Jim...I had thought you worked closer to Park Street. Wow! And as you mentioned Patriots Day is a great day in New England but moreso in the Boston area remebering the brave men who engaged the British in Concord and Lexington who were searching houses and looking for supplies and started the American Revolution. If there is really nice weather it can be the nicest day of the year in Boston. I lived on the marathon route on Beacon Street near Fenway Park during college and can attest the city is buzzing with activity, lots of families going to the Red Sox game, watching the marathon or touring the USS Constitution. Great place to be...except today. Prayers to all effected by this. Sad day in Massachusetts and for our Nation.

It hits very close to home for all of us. I had one friend approaching the finish line and saw everything happen just ahead of him, another friend was unable to locate a family member who was watching from the area of the second blast, she was locaed this morning and is doing ok. As Jim and Chris said this is a big day here and so much of our nations birth occured right there in Boston.
There are still many seriously injured in the Boston area hospitals, blood supplies are running low, I plan on giving blood later this morning. It was reported that many runners yesterday not knowing what to do headed right to the hospitals to give blood. It is a sad time here.

americans can be a tough bunch of folks . giving blood is probably the best thing to give at this moment , and as stated above, you cant give too many hugs . we give our prayers to y'all . coppersmythe.......................................and remain vigilant