Boston Strong Concert

     The Boston Strong Concert which was held Memorial Day weekend, was televised Saturday night, and we got a chance to watch it.  Musicians and celebrities with ties to Boston performed to raise money to support the victims of the Marathon bombings.  It aired commercial free for more than four hours, and it was outstanding.  It honored the victims, and paid tribute to the runners and emergency medical staff that saved  lives.   Three people died at the scene, but that means that everyone else who was taken to area hospitals survived. The bombers expected that most of those within the bomb blast would bleed to death in the street.  But THEY WERE WRONG !  As usual, the bad guys underestimated the strength and resolve of average Bostonians. Many survivors attended the concert in their wheel chairs.  Dozens will have to endure multiple surgeries, and learn to walk, run and dance with prosthetic limbs.  Those who are still growing will need to be refitted, and medical care will be needed for the rest of their lives.
      My favorite performers were Carole King and James Taylor, because I grew up on their music.  Jimmy Buffet, the New Kids on the Block, and Boys to Men were also excellent.  Aerosmith,  J Geil's Band, Boston, and the Drop Kick Murphy's rocked out the Garden.  I loved it when the audience sang along and danced in the aisles.  It was a fun celebration, but it got emotional when the celebrities spoke about what happened to their friends and neighbors.  One of the New Kids on the Block wore his medal,  because he ran and finished the marathon less than ten minutes before the explosions.  It was personal, and it showed.
   I got choked up when I saw people in the audience crying. It is heart wrenching to think of the hundreds of peoples whose lives are now changed forever.  I know that millions of dollars have been raised to help with  expenses, and that more is realistically needed.   One of the groups performing  said they will be ready  to do it again next year.  I know that local sports teams and companies have been extremely generous to the cause.  Millions of Americans have also donated and help has come from every state and around the world.  The Boston Marathon has been run for 116 years, and it will be bigger and better than ever next year because it is Boston Strong.
    Boston is a relatively small area with many neighborhood, all of which were affected by this tragedy.  I'm proud to have grown up near Boston, and many of my relatives are scattered throughout Massachusetts.   I attended college in Boston, and worked at Filene's Basement until I graduated.  We live close enough that we can go into the city for sporting events, plays in the theater district, and restaurants....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on......