Celtics Honor Boston Marathon First Responders, Police In Return To Garden
BOSTON (AP/CBS) — The TD Garden was swarming with police Friday night for the playoff game between the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks.
Both outside the building and on the floor.
The Celtics honored the first-responders from last week's Boston Marathon attack during the game, their first at home since the April 15 bombing at the race's finish line.
"They've been through a lot," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, whose father was a police officer in the Chicago area. "I think they can't get enough support; they can't get enough love. So I think it will be wonderful for them and for the fans as well."
The Celtics were scheduled to play Indiana in Boston in their regular-season finale April 16, the day after the bombings. The game was canceled, and the Celtics began the playoffs in New York.
An honor guard from the Boston police, fire and emergency medical services brought out the American flag, and a cappella group Voices of Freedom, in military uniforms, sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" before the game.
Doctors and nurses who treated the injured were to be recognized as "Heroes Among us," along with volunteers from the Boston Athletic Association.
All members of the organization wore commemorative pins on Friday. The team also gave out "Boston Strong" t-shirts to all fans in attendance.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
