Tribute honors victims, survivors and Boston Strong families

BOSTON — In a special tribute dedicated to the Marathon bombing survivors and their families, dozens gathered at the Boston Public Library on Sunday in support of each other.

Mayor Marty Walsh and Governor Charlie Baker addressed families and survivors at a private ceremony inside the Boston Public Library. Walsh and Baker were joined by Martin Richard's brother Henry Richard and One Fund Center Director Barbara Thorp.

"These years have been filled with the hard work and the hard work of healing," said Mayor Walsh.

Survivors and their families came together to remember those lost exactly five years ago on April 15, 2013, when two bombs went off at the finish line at the Boston Marathon. Together, they shared stories of hurt, healing and inspiration.

The private event was held just moments before the fifth anniversary of the marathon bombings began with a wreath laying ceremony, followed by a moment of silence.

One Boston Day is a time to honor the strength and generosity of the entire city, and also to remember those lost in those tragic moments five years ago.

"Everyone knows where they were the moment those two bombs went off," said Governor Baker.

The family of Martin Richard, one of the lives lost during the bombings, spoke at the event, where the sweet boy was remembered by his brother through powerful words.

Henry Richard spoke of Martin's passion for sportsmanship and fairness.

"We may not have known then when Martin would rearrange the team before we started playing, that he was displaying a sense of sportsmanship and fairness to us - that was just Martin and it made the games fun," said Henry.

That same sense of sportsmanship Henry spoke about eventually became one of the pillars of the foundation the family started in Martin's honor, the MR8 Foundation, named after Martin's initials and his sports number.

Henry thanked runners and asked everyone in the audience for one thing:

"Choose kindness and do more peace."

Videos were shown of survivors talking about their struggles and victories.

"For months I felt very lonely and isolated," said Michelle Heureux. "I started going back to the gym as a way to begin to heal."

Vin McGuire, whose son is a marathoner, said the event gave him a feel for the incredible resolve shown by those touched by tragedy.

"Being able to put the devastation that they experienced and maybe some of the anger and moving forward to better everybody not just in Boston but around the world," said McGuire.

Mayor Marty Walsh said the survivor group in Boston is changing the world for the better, and that efforts are far from being over.

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Cox Media Group