By Jessica Trufant The Patriot Ledger
Carlos Arredondo speaks to runners at the Jeff Coombs Memorial Race. Arredondo helped injured survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing
ABINGTON, MA — Christie Coombs was standing at the Boston Marathon finish line on April 15 when two bombs went off about 50 yards away from her, killing three and injuring hundreds of others.
The bombings hit close to home for Coombs, who has suffered heartbreak and loss at the hands of terrorists.
Coombs’ husband, Jeff, was aboard American Airlines Flight 11 when it was flown into the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.
On Sunday, several Boston Marathon survivors and heroes joined Coombs at the 12th annual Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race to remember those who have lost their lives to terrorism.
“They say time heals all wounds, but it doesn’t,” Coombs said, fighting back tears. “But we have this family that none of us ever wanted to be a part of to help us go forward.”
Carlos Arredondo of Boston, the cowboy hat-wearing hero who helped victims after the Marathon bombings, gave the starting command for the 5-kilometer race, which took off from the Woodsdale School and drew nearly 1,000 people.
Arredondo was at the Boston Marathon to honor his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. His other son, Brian Arredondo, committed suicide in 2011 after battling depression following his brother’s death.
“We heal as we grieve together, and that’s why it’s very important that we get together like this,” Arredondo said of the race. “It’s a grieving moment for all of us.”
Coombs has known Carlos Arredondo for years, as she once worked at Blue Hills Regional Technical High School, which Alex Arredondo attended.
Many race participants and bystanders thanked Arredondo for his heroic actions at the Marathon, which helped save the life of Jeff Bauman, who lost both legs in the blast.
Marathon survivors Paul Norden and his girlfriend, Jacqui Webb, both of Stoneham, also came out for the memorial race. Norden and his brother J.P. each lost a leg in the bombings, while Webb suffered serious injuries.
As he and other survivors heal physically and mentally, Norden said it was nice to see that people still remember Jeff Coombs and care for his family.
“You see the support is still there from people after all this time,” said Norden, who has a prosthetic leg.
Proceeds from the race benefit the Jeff Coombs Memorial Foundation, which assists Massachusetts families who are affected by death, illness or other circumstances that challenge them emotionally and financially.
Christie Coombs, who has two nephews deployed overseas, said race day is always bittersweet for her and her three children.
“You hate the reason why you do it, but you love the result,” she said. “We can’t change what happened, so we respond in a positive way that helps a lot of people who need it, and that makes me smile.”
Bill Petti of Whitman got as far as Massachusetts Avenue while running the Boston Marathon this year before he and thousands of others were stopped because of the bombings.
The tragedy compelled Petti to run the Jeff Coombs race for the first time this year to show the family that people remember their loss.
“Terrorism is terrorism, whether it’s flying a plane into a building or setting a bomb off somewhere, so it’s nice for everyone to come together to cope,” said Petti, 67, who plans to run the 2014 Boston Marathon.
Christie Coombs, who has two nephews deployed overseas, said race day is always bittersweet for her and her three children.
“You hate the reason why you do it, but you love the result,” she said. “We can’t change what happened, so we respond in a positive way that helps a lot.”
Christie Coombs, who has two nephews deployed overseas, said race day is always bittersweet for her and her children.
“You hate the reason why you do it, but you love the result,” she said. “We can’t change what happened, so we respond in a positive way that helps a lot of people who need it, and that makes me smile.”
Bill Petti of Whitman got as far as Massachusetts Avenue while running the Boston Marathon this year before he and thousands of others were stopped because of the bombings.
The tragedy compelled Petti to run the Jeff Coombs race for the first time this year to show the family that people remember their loss.
“Terrorism is terrorism, whether it’s flying a plane into a building or setting a bomb off somewhere, so it’s nice for everyone to come together to cope,” said Petti, 67, who plans to run the 2014 Boston Marathon.
