April 19th is a date that has always stuck in my mind. It's one of those dates that became forever imprinted in some deep, dark brain fold during my sophomore year's American history class. Not only does it happen to be my youngest daughter's birthday, but as a history buff, the date also marks the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The start of it all, when the colonists finally took that irretrievable step into war. This was the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This was the battle that sparked Emerson's quote "the shot heard 'round the world." This was the battle that begun with Paul Revere's famous ride. This was the battle that essentially was the start of the United States of America.
The small local holiday of Patriot's Day is to commemorate that battle. It was a little known holiday outside our region, little known that is, until April 15th, 2013. Patriot's Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in April, and the third Monday in April always falls on the day of the Boston Marathon. The fact that the Boston Marathon bombing took place on the day that we celebrate the start of our nation, the day we celebrate those heroes who put their lives at great risk because of what they considered tyranny did not escape me. It was the first thing I thought of, actually. The two man group of terrorists chose a day that we celebrate our freedom, our way of life, bought for in blood.
We live only a short drive from Concord and I like to be down in the Concord and Lexington area on April 19th, though not the official Patriot's Day holiday, it is the actual anniversary. This April 19th was like no other, well except perhaps a little like the one in 1775. This April 19th was the day of the manhunt. As we all know, one suspect had died the night before and the other was on the loose, hiding. Boston and the surrounding towns of Cambridge and Watertown were in lockdown. People feared he could enter their homes, their cars by force. A true terrorist threat was on the loose.
Our first hint that this manhunt was like nothing we've seen before was when we drove through the border of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. State troopers and all sorts of police vehicles lined the road. They were on the look out. This guy could be anywhere, and that's when the first small wave of alarm went through me.
All throughout the Boston area were police and military people. It was a comfort, a protection, but it also made the significant danger of the day glaringly obvious, causing no small discomfort. When we went into a restaurant, less than fifteen miles outside of Boston, men in uniforms looked us over, as they did every one who walked through the doors. An enemy, who meant to do us harm, was loose and his whereabouts unknown. Any place where a group of people were gathered, even in small numbers, was a possible target. No one knew if this guy had more bombs or more guns. Everyone around us were scrolling their smartphones, hoping for news of his capture. We were too.
After lunch, we headed to the Minuteman National Park. The MNP is one of my favorite places to visit. You can walk Battle Road, through the woods on wide, dirt paths. Along the route you will see significant places that were at the frontline of the battles, various taverns and homes and places of burial. The same stone fences line the dirt roads that did back then. Being there takes you out of our time. You can imagine the Minutemen chasing the Redcoats all the way down Battle Road til they finally reach Boston. You can almost see the frightened wives and families, watch as their husbands and fathers leave, just hoping the Redcoats wouldn't come in and take over their homes for makeshift hospitals or headquarters. Though you can imagine the fear of that day, the feeling there is tranquil because the outcome is already known to us. Our side won. We are a country today because of that day. When I'm there I feel great peace.
Hartwell Tavern on Battle Road
Old stone wall along path
The fourteen mile marker to Boston Harbor
The day was warm and pleasant, one of those perfect spring days we all dream about on only the harshest and windiest days of winter. We past by many joggers and people walking their dogs. We said our hellos, pretending this was like any other day in the greater Boston area. But of course it wasn't.
Just as I was taking in the beauty of the day, listening to the birds, breathing in the fragrant air, snapping pictures of everything around me, I suddenly heard an almost deafening loud noise. My heart began to beat hard, even before I spotted the source of the sound. I looked up and right above me were two black hawk helicopters. They were so low to the ground that I could easily make out the faces of those inside. I looked around and saw all the others around me had stopped what they were doing as well, and were looking, slack-jawed, up into the sky. We all knew, and the reality of the day came crashing in on all of us. There was someone who sought to take away our ease, comfort, and freedom, and instill fear in his wake, and he could be anywhere. I saw a couple of people head off the path and back to their cars.
My husband and I continued our way down the path. My whole soul felt very quiet, and I felt I was walking on holy ground. Tears sprang to my eyes several times. I thought of those who had died at the marathon and the young officer, shot down in cold blood only a few hours prior. I thought about those who had been injured, whose lives were forever changed. And I thought about how much I love my country, how much I love New England, how much I love Boston.
Though it was warm, the sky was overcast and brought an ominous, foreboding sense to the day.
At one point, I remember asking Russ, "what would you do if you saw that guy here, that suspect?" I don't even remember what he said in response. My mind was suddenly acutely aware that there could be danger lurking near, behind that stone wall or behind that tavern. Or could he be behind the brush, behind a grove of trees.
Home of Captain William Smith, captain of the Lincoln minutemen, and brother to Abigail Adams.
If these old nails could talk
My own fear of the current events of the day, morphed in this historical place, and I felt for a moment that I could somehow relate to the fear of those who lived along this battle road two hundred and thirty-eight years ago. They didn't know what the outcome would be of their day, and neither did we. It was one of those indescribable moments, when things clicked. History came alive for me in a strange, wonderful, and scary way.
Then a wave of calm came over me. I suddenly felt that everything would be fine. April 19th, 1775 set the stage for our crazy, wonderful country and April 19th, 2013 would not be the end of it. We are still those Americans who took on the formidable British military because we are just that brash, we have always been an idealistic people who believe we were born into this world with inalienable rights. This would be a day that would bring all of us even closer together in purpose and pride. Because isn't that what has always happened? When an outside threat has come into our own borders and wounded and hurt us and caused momentary fear, we always have come back stronger and more united. It happened in 1775. It happened at Pearl Harbor. It happened on 9/11. And it was happening today.
Our momentary fear turns into momentary anger, which then becomes determination and a renewed sense of community and pride and love. And I couldn't help but think, as I wandered on this path, just showing signs of new growth, that winter is always followed by spring.
