Yesterday an unbearable tragedy struck the heart of New England. Today, a group of nearly 300 Plymouth students gathered outside the HUB to pay their respect.
Just before 7 p.m., students started gathering around loudspeakers that were playing classic Bostonian music like “Sweet Caroline,” and “Shipping off to Boston.”
The vigil then began with Matt Dolliver, a freshman, playing the national anthem on the saxophone. The anthem was then followed by a short-lived “U-S-A,” chant, followed by a moment of silence.
“I’m from Mansfield, Mass, me and my mother used to go to the marathon all the time, it’s pretty tragic,” Dolliver said after the event, adding, “I just can’t imagine the people who were there, especially the runners.”
Brian Runge of Scituate, MA, orchestrated the event. “I just thought it was the right thing to do. Once I posted in one [Facebook] group, everyone said we should make a page then meet up tomorrow, so once everyone came together I figured we might as well, it was the right thing to do,” said Runge.
Runge, wearing a Red Sox hoodie, added, “Yesterday was a scary day for all of us.”
“Hopefully someone will put something else on,” Dolliver said.
Counseling is available through the university and many organizations around campus plan to hold fundraisers and similar events in the upcoming weeks.