A day before marathon, Boston marks 5 years since deadly bombing

The bells of Old South Church in Boston rang at 2:49 p.m. to commemorate a citywide moment of silence in honour of Boston Marathon bombing survivors and victims

It was an emotional moment in a day filled with service projects and ceremonies to remember those impacted by the deadly bombings five years ago.

Boston began the anniversary of the attacks with Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker laying wreaths early Sundaymorning at the spots along downtown Boylston Street where two bombs killed three spectators and maimed more than 260 others April 15, 2013.

Both addressed families and survivors at a private ceremony inside the Boston Public Library.

"On April 15, 2013, our city changed forever but over the last five years, we have reclaimed hope. We have reclaimed the finish line and Boston has emerged with a new strength, a resilience rooted in love," Walsh said.

Jane and Henry Richard, siblings of the youngest victim, Martin Richard, and members of the family's foundation, also spoke.

Henry Richard urged those listening to follow Martin's message to "choose kindness and do more." The family's foundation was founded in 2014 to connect young people with opportunities for volunteerism and community engagement.

Victim Lu Lingzi's uncle, Sherman Yee, was present at the ceremony and private gathering. He said, "The family has been overwhelmed by love and support from all over the world."' He called Lingzi an "extraordinary girl" who represented the youth that come to the U.S. from China to study.

"While she didn't realize her dreams, as her family we invest in the youths through our foundation to keep her memory going," he said.

Officers among killed

The bombs also killed 29-year-old Krystle Campbell, of Arlington. Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer Sean Collier was killed in the line of duty during a confrontation with bomber Tamerlan Tzarneav.

Roxanne Simmonds was at commemorative ceremonies to honour her son, fallen Boston police officer Dennis Simmonds. Simmonds suffered a head injury on April 19, 2013, during a shootout with Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev as law enforcement closed in on them.

He suffered a fatal brain aneurysm a year later assessed to be the result of his injuries from the explosive device. Roxanne Simmonds said "DJ" was "brilliant and fearless he just loved Boston."

The youngest graduate of his class at Lasell College, Dennis Simmonds worked in Mattapan as an officer.

"It was important for him to be in a community with men and women who look like him," his mother said,"individuals of colour working hard to make sure their communities were safe." She praised Walsh, saying that it was obvious how significant the victims are to the mayor.

Arreen Andrew, of Boston, said she was in the crowd across the stand when the first bomb went off in 2013.

"It was sheer panic," she recalled. "Just this sense of `No, this can't happen to us."'

Five years later, while the day is still a reminder of some painful memories, she said it has also become a day about the relationships that have since been formed and "reformed and recreated our entire community."

Tragedy inspired change

For some, such an anniversary is about planting the seeds of change. Heather Abbott, 43, of Newport, Rhode Island hosted a fundraiser for her foundation that supports amputees. Abbott was outside of Forum, a restaurant by the finish line, when the impact of the second bomb blew her through the entrance of the building. Former New England Patriots lineman Matt Chatham and his wife Erin were in the restaurant, and carried Abbott to safety.

After three surgeries in four days, Abbott's left leg was amputated below the knee. Her recovery was long, but in 2014, Abbott started her own foundation to help amputees with financial difficulties afford prosthetics and expensive co-payments.

"I want to make some changes in the world of health insurance and help them understand why people need these devices," said Abbott.

Abbott says the foundation has given out 19 prosthetic devices out so far. "They can cost from $15,000 to as much as $100,000," she said.