The United Way of Greater Plymouth held its 94th Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration in the East Campus Commons.
The organization uses the occasion to hand out several awards, and during Wednesday’s ceremony Bridgewater alumni Bill and Denise Richard were honored, and Mr. Richard provided the keynote remarks.
The Dorchester couple met at Bridgewater. Their son, Martin Richard, at age 8, was the youngest victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The family founded a foundation in his name, and BSU rededicated its social justice center in Martin’s name. A statue of the boy holding a sign that says “Stop Hurting People Peace,” stands on campus, recalling the famous photo that went viral after the bombing.
Former President Dana Mohler-Faria introduced the Richards, saying they are “two exceptional people, people who are my heroes. They exemplify what we should all be and what we should all live for.”
The recent massacre in Orlando hung over the event, and when Mr. Richard delivered his remarks, he was speaking about the violent impulses behind both the marathon bombing and the Orlando attack. He urged those in attendance not to wait until they survive a close call and feel like they have been given a second chance to begin living right and “feel like your living for something bigger than yourself.” Don’t wait for that close call, Mr. Richard said, do it now.
“Martin didn’t get his second chance, it’s up to us to honor him and give his life meaning… All of us don’t realize we are living our second chance. Live like it’s your second chance anyway.” (Story and photos by John Winters, G ’11, University News & Media)
