Monday's 123rd running of the Boston Marathon marked the sixth anniversary of the deadly bombings at the finish line. It's the first time the anniversary date fell on the same day as the marathon.
To honor the three people killed and the dozens severely injured by the two pressure cooker bombs that exploded on April 15, 2013, the Boston Athletic Association held a moment of silence at 2:49 p.m. — when the first bomb went off.
Officials with the BAA were on hand for the event which included a moment of reflection. Bells then rang at Old South Church.
Roseann Sdoia-Materia, who had been watching the marathon when one of the bombs went off just feet away from her, lost part of her right leg. She said six years later, memories of the bombing are still surreal to her.
"I still wake up in the morning and look down once in a while and say, 'I still don't have a leg,'" said Sdoia-Materia.
Despite the tragedy, she said it's a whirlwind of good.
"Between that one bad day, and what's happened since then, the people that have come into my life, the opportunities I've had, the people I've met, marrying my husband who is a first responder," reflected Sdoia-Materia.
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Heather Abbott, whose left leg was amputated below the knee after the bombings, said the anniversary is a day to remember those who were tragically killed.
"I think it's important to remember especially those who died that day - Krystle, Martin, and Lingzi," said Abbott.
Since the bombing, April 15 has been designated One Boston Day: a day dedicated to acts of service and kindness across the city.
