The Governor On Leading A Post-Bombing Commonwealth

The events of April 15 and the week that followed shocked and perhaps changed this city forever. For our civic leaders, the Marathon bombings and the investigation that followed, including the lockdown of much of Greater Boston, represented a rare and difficult test.

On our program, we've heard from law enforcement officials, from mayors, from first responders and from victims. Today, we hear from Gov. Deval Patrick, who led the commonwealth through those difficult days.

During that dark week, Patrick spoke eloquently at an interfaith service about how the attacks at first challenged his religious faith, and about his determination not to let an act of terror undermine a set of ideals and values that define the country's civic faith.

Deval Patrick, governor of Massachusetts

Radio Boston, "When doctors and nurses, police and firefighters and EMTs and guardsmen run towards explosions to treat the wounded, that’s discipline. When exhausted runners, including our troops and veterans, who never expected to see such carnage on the streets back home, become first responders themselves, tending to the injured, that’s real power. When Bostonians carry victims in their arms, deliver water and blankets, line up to give blood, open their homes to total strangers, give them rides back to reunite with their families, that’s love."

The Boston Globe, "'When the Sox, the Celtics, the Patriots, the Bruins are champions again – to the chagrin of New York and Chicago fans – the crowds will gather and watch a parade go down Boylston Street. And this time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever and to cheer even louder for the one hundred and eighteenth Boston marathon. Bet on it!' [President Obama] thundered."