The reaction of most Americans to the tragedy in Boston was typical: We came together as a nation, mourned our fallen, and applauded our newest heroes. The sight of first-responders running to the sound of danger within mere seconds of the explosions, not away from disaster as human instinct might dictate, was nothing short of exceptional—but also characteristically American. Indeed, for 237 years, Americans have risked all to help their fellow citizens, strangers, and foreigners equally.
The people of Boston, whose lives had been stopped, were grateful. The day after the Boston Marathon bombing, residents of Watertown, Mass., where the surviving terrorist was captured, gathered in the streets to cheer the departing police and SWAT units. They sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and other songs of praise to America and to the selfless men and women that confronted terror so bravely and professionally.
