Tewksbury Residents Share Grief, Hope at Vigil

"I've been running since I was 10 years old. The running community is my family. These (people) attacked my family."

Overcome by grief, Steve Trudeau let the tears flow freely as he spoke of the events of Monday, April 15. Trudeau and about a dozen other residents gathered Wednesday night at the Tewksbury Congregational Church for a vigil in honor those who were killed and injured in the terrorist bombings.

The event also gave people a chance to share the emotions that had been swirling in their hearts and minds for the past 48 hours.

A veteran runner of previous Boston Marathons, Steve was working as a volunteer this year along the marathon course. He had brought his young sons with him to share in the experience.

"This is a family event. People are along the course handing out oranges and high-fiving runners and ringing cowbells. It's a family event," said Trudeau, his voice and body language revealing a man still in utter disbelief over what happened that day.

Several residents spoke during the vigil, including at the finish line when the bombs went off. She spoke of the suffering and traumatic injuries she witnessed and helped to treat. And she spoke of her admiration for a solider she was treating who left the medical tent after the blasts, to join his comrades who had just marched the course in full battle gear, in order to help with the rescue efforts.

Also in attendance was runner Tricia Bourne. She had already returned to her nearby hotel room and was in the shower when the bombs went off. Moments later, when she was told what had happened, melted into grief and disbelief.

Bourne was one of 58 athletes from the Greater Lowell Road Runners running club who had travelled to Boston to compete on Monday.

"It was completely surreal," said Bourne, who attended the vigil with her husband Jim. "I couldn't relate to what was going on until all of our runners started coming in from the course and telling their stories."

Wednesday night's vigil was organized by Donna Spencer Collins, the pastoral associate for personal outreach at Tewksbury Congregational. She said the vigil was a chance to share emotions and pray together for others and for each other.

"We have a saying that we all belong to God and each other. And that's what brings us here," said Collins.

Among those victims who were prayed for at the vigil was Marc Fucarile, who sustained severe injuries in the explosions. Marc's sister Stephanie is a Tewksbury resident. His brother is a member of the Stoneham Police Department, which has set up a fund for Marc and his family at the Stoneham Municipal Credit Union. Donations can be mailed or delivered in person:

Stoneham Municipal Credit Union
40 Pine Street
Stoneham, MA 02180

Another fund has been created for Marc by his cousin and can be accessed at this website.