Martinez Boy Wounded In Boston Marathon Bombings Returns To Site; Parents To Race Again
MARTINEZ (KCBS)— On this one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, a Martinez family has returned to the spot that devastated their lives. Friends say the family is even stronger now, some of which will be running in this year's race.
Aaron Hern, who was 12 years-old at the time, was waiting for his mother Katherine to cross the finish line in the marathon when the bombs went off. The Martinez Junior High student underwent a long and painful recovery.
"We are here for the tribute today, the marathon, and to finally be able to connect with others in the survivor community," Aaron's mother Katherine Hern wrote online.
Family friend Gay Gerlack said the boy is doing well.
"There's trauma that will be with him always, but Aaron was an athlete and still is," she said.
Katherine and Alan Hern both entered the marathon this year. And an extra fan was been added to this family.
"Katherine was actually pregnant when she ran in that Boston Marathon and so now they have a beautiful little girl named Caroline,"
Gerlack said the Herns left for Boston last week and that there's no denying the emotional difficulty in returning. Everyone hopes that this time the experience will be much more positive.