The Norden brothers of Stoneham — and many of those who saved them, cared for them and worked with them since — came back last night to the emotional spot wrought with “blood, sweat and tears” that law enforcement refers to as “Bomb Site No. 2.”
“I’m glad I’m here,” said J.P. Norden, 34, back at Forum, the
once-devastated, now rebuilt Boylston Street restaurant, which only recently reopened for business. “I’m trying to make sense of it every day, but we have great support. I would have been pretty lost if we didn’t have all this support.”
Paul Norden, 32, was too overwhelmed to talk about it. Last night’s fundraiser was his first time back at Forum and the memories were strong.
It was the first time back for one of Paul’s first-responders, too.
“I’m remembering everything,” said Sean Gelinas of Armstrong Ambulance of Arlington, as he looked around the packed room on the restaurant’s top floor. “We weren’t even supposed to be there that day. We were stuck in traffic and a guy in another car told us about the bombing.”
That twist of fate — one of countless tragic and heroic turns April 15 — probably saved Paul’s life.
“This is the next step in his
recovery,” said fellow Armstrong first responder Matt O’Connor. “We came to show this is our place. It’s intense to be back, but it’s amazing to see them doing so well.”
The brothers both lost their right legs in the April 15 bombing. Little Martin Richard and Boston University student Lingzi Lu died in front of Forum.
This is now a solemn spot on Boylston Street. Last night about 200 people came to help two brothers and a city recover.
“We’re coming together to show this is our place,” said Peter Brown, the Norden brothers’ uncle, echoing what was a common sentiment.
But the crowd was filled with those who also came to share in the grief and the hope of better days to come.
“This is just as therapeutic for first responders. I’m proud they’ve stayed strong,” said Boston paramedic Roger Aiello, who rushed J.P. to Brigham and Women’s Hospital when he put him on the floor of his packed ambulance.
“Our ambulance got filled up fast. People were saying ‘Take care of me,’ and ‘No, see him.’ I caught a glimpse of J.P. and couldn’t leave him,” said Aiello. “I put him on the floor and he turned out to be the sickest.
“There was so much confusion and chaos. Martin, the BU girl, were gone ...
“But this night is needed. It validates all that was done April 15. All that blood, sweat and tears.”
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