Sisters Of Bombing Victims Walk Marathon Route on One-Month Anniversary of Attack

Photo via Facebook.com

Friends and family of two brothers that each lost one of their legs in the Boston Marathon bombings walked from the starting line in Hopkinton all the way to Boylston Street to show their support.

Colleen and Caitlin Norden, sisters of J.P. and Paul Norden, along with their Uncle Peter Brown, started their trek early Wednesday morning, exactly one month after the devastating attack at the race’s finish line wounded the brothers.

“As you may be aware, the last few weeks have been extremely challenging and demanding. Although the boys continue to confront their wounds, injuries, and losses, while maintaining a positive and brave outlook, we recognize that the healing process for the boys is extensive, and significant physical rehabilitation will be necessary,” the sisters said in a statement on their Facebook page. “In order for us to involve ourselves and as a way to deal with this unthinkable and horrendous act, we want to honor and pay tribute to both J.P. and Paul.”

The girls said despite the attack and their brothers being injured, they refuse to live in fear because of the “spineless acts of terrorism,” and they will “continue to live free in the greatest country in the world.” The family was asking for people to donate $1 for every mile they walked in honor of their brothers, so they could help defray medical and living expenses.

Just days ago, J.P. and Paul Norden spoke at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, and updated the public on their recovery efforts. The brothers described the day of the race as “mayhem,” and said they were separated and sent to two different hospitals after the attack. Together again on Monday, both J.P. and Paul said they were being fitted for prosthetics soon, and hoped to get back on the basketball court one day, something doctors reaffirmed could happen in the near future.

The same day that the Norden sisters decided to take a walk along the race path, the Boston Athletic Association wrote a letter to the community, posted on Facebook, once again thanking first responders and offering condolences to those who were impacted by the attack.

Officials said it will take a lot of planning and work to figure out the logistics for next year’s race, and asked that people be patient. “Planning a marathon in the wake of the events of April 15 takes a tremendous amount of teamwork, communication, and dedication,” they said. Runners have been eager to sign up for next year’s race, while others who were stopped short during this year’s run, because of the attack, have asked to be automatically added to the 2014 event.

The city of Boston also recognized the one-month anniversary of the blasts and issued a statement about the distribution of money from the One Fund, which reached $30 million in donations to benefit the victims and families adversely effected by the marathon bombing. According to city officials, mailings will be sent to potential claimants and June 15 will mark the deadline for them to register for benefits. Claims will be reviewed by June 30, when the payments are distributed. For more information about the process, visit onefundboston.org.