Three Civilian Heroes from the Boston Marathon Bombings Named The Boston Globe Magazine’s “Bostonians Of The Year”
Boston, MA (PRWEB) December 20, 2013 -- The Boston Globe Magazine announced today that it has selected Natalie Stavas, Dan Marshall and Larry Hittinger—three heroes among us who sprang to action during the Boston Marathon bombings—as 2013 “Bostonians of the Year.” They will be featured in a special edition of The Boston Globe Magazine on December 22, and online at bostonglobe.com/magazine. The magazine will also include profiles of 12 other Bostonians being honored for their achievements in 2013.
Ignoring the basic human instinct to flee from danger, Stavas, Marshall and Hittinger charged into the carnage of the Boston Marathon bombings to aid victims.
Stavas, a 32-year-old pediatric resident training jointly at Boston Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital, and competing in her fourth Boston Marathon, jumped a barricade and rushed to the Marathon finish line to help the wounded. Even after being told to clear the area, she refused and ushered people to ambulances, and reassured and aided the wounded.
Marshall, a 33-year-old high school custodian waiting for a friend at the finish line, was blown back during the second explosion and suffered a concussion. Despite being pulled to safety, he ran back towards the explosion to help victims, one of which was Martin Richard—the 8-year-old boy killed by the blasts.
Hittinger, a 57-year-old ironworker and grandfather, was enjoying a drink at the Atlantic Fish Company when the first bomb went off. He saw an injured child near the explosion, and, immediately feeling a connection to the young boy, raced to his aid. Hittinger found a first responder and together they carried the 11-year-old to an ambulance. With the resolute calm of a trained EMT, Hittinger continued to help several victims to ambulances, even though his emergency training consisted of a few first aid courses taken nearly 40 years ago.
“We are proud to honor Natalie Stavas, Dan Marshall and Larry Hittinger as the Bostonians of the Year,” said Susanne Althoff, editor of The Boston Globe Magazine. “They demonstrated bravery beyond measure, putting their lives in danger to help save the lives of strangers. Their courageous acts embody the strength of this city in the wake of this tragic event.”
This is the 10th year that the Globe Magazine has selected a “Bostonian of the Year,” but the first time the publication has selected three winners. Previous honorees include both Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown (who would later battle one another in a US Senate race), former Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein, US attorney Carmen Ortiz, and last year’s winners, US Olympians Aly Raisman and Kayla Harrison.
The “Bostonian(s) of the Year” are selected by the editors of The Boston Globe Magazine.
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Contacts
Ellen Clegg
Executive Director of Communications, The Boston Globe
ellen.clegg(at)globe(dot)com
617-929-3339 – office, 617-615-7103 – mobile
@BostonGlobePR
Mary Zanor
Elevate Communications
617-548-1107
mzanor(at)elevatecom(dot)com
@Maryloganz
Amanda Brennan, Elevate Communications, +1 (617) 686-0510, [email protected]
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