When I told folks I saw the movie Patriots Day, their responses surprised me. Most said they wouldn’t go see a movie about terrorists bombing the Boston Marathon. My reason for going was because as a former Bostonian, I wanted to see the city again.
It was a surprise when I first moved to San Diego and discovered no one took Patriots Day off. In Massachusetts, on the third Monday in April, the state commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. If you aren’t watching a battle re-enactment, you’re probably watching the Boston Marathon or at Fenway Park cheering the Red Sox during a rare Monday day game.
Certainly, this is a movie about a terrible event. More though, it’s a heartfelt tribute to the people of Boston. You’ll see what you couldn’t see on television three years ago. You’ll learn about the victims and their families. You’ll feel the panic as the first responders and medical teams work desperately to help the injured. You’ll find out how law enforcement and city officials try to make the best decisions they can to secure a city. You’ll stop breathing when a young man gets hijacked in his car by the terrorists.
Through all the emotions this movie evokes, you’ll understand what heroism is. Each person who helped another during the chaos of the bombing is a hero. Some of them wore uniforms, some did not.
The movie ended filling my heart with hope. Please see Patriots Day if you can. It isn’t just about Boston. It is about the power of a community coming together.
David Ortiz plays himself in the movie and no one will ever forget his words: “This is our fucking city, and nobody is going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.”
I kept this cartoon over the years because we are all on the same team. Click on photo to read the caption.
