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U.S. NEWS Thursday 17 augusT 2017

Youngest marathon bombing victim has park named after him

BOSTON (AP) — The young- ter the bombing, a widely
est victim of the Boston circulated photo showed
Marathon bombing was Martin holding a poster he
honored Wednesday dur- created the year before
ing a ceremony to break with the message “No more
ground on a park to be hurting people — peace.”
built in his memory. “His enduring message of
The family of 8-year-old peace that just continues
Martin Richard joined to will people to come to-
Democratic Mayor Martin gether for the common
Walsh, Republican Gov. good — that’s why we’re
Charlie Baker and a crowd here,” Bill Richard said.
of supporters at a touching Bill Richard said the park will
ceremony at the park site be “a place where all kids
on the South Boston wa- will have the opportunity to
terfront. Martin was among learn together and play to-
three people killed when gether without prejudice.”
two bombs exploded near The park will be built near
the marathon finish line on the Boston Children’s Mu-
April 15, 2013. seum and is expected to
Martin’s younger sister, open in the fall of 2018.
Jane, who lost her left leg in Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was
the bombing, said the park Bill Richard, second from left, father of fatal Boston Marathon bombing victim Martin Richard, convicted and sentenced
will have wheelchair ramps brings his hand to his face while standing next to a painting of Martin, right, at the conclusion of to death in the bombings.
so it’s accessible to every- groundbreaking ceremonies for a park named after his late son, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in His older brother, Tamerlan
one. She said the park will Boston. Martin Richard, 8, was the youngest of three people killed when two bombs exploded Tsarnaev, died several days
also have a pirate ship, a near the Boston Marathon finish line on April 15, 2013. after the bombings when
bucket swing and an am- (AP Photo/Steven Senne) he was shot during a con-
phitheater. “I am so happy that the community is com- what Martin was all about,” father, recalled his son’s frontation with police and
to be doing this project, ing together to build some- she said. quick wit, charm and “in- run over by his brother dur-
and I know Martin is happy thing inclusive, which is Bill Richard, the children’s sistence on fair play.” Af- ing an escape attempt.q

WWII vet gets Bronze Star he earned more than 70 years ago

By JEN McDERMOTT serves credit.” military awards including
Associated Press When Coppola spoke the Good Conduct Med-
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — A about how much the mili- al.
World War II veteran who tary awards mean to him, Reed’s office had sought
was formally presented he also made sure to say, to get recognition for Cop-
with the Bronze Star he “I wasn’t there alone.” pola’s battlefield commis-
earned more than 70 He said that black soldiers sion to platoon leader, but
years ago on Wednesday who fought alongside him that request was denied
was quick to point out that and protected him didn’t by the Army.
all of the men he fought get the recognition they Coppola said he was hos-
with deserve credit. deserve and that still both- pitalized shortly before the
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed host- ers him. war ended and he doesn’t
ed a medal presentation Reed, a Rhode Island know what happened to
ceremony in Cranston for Democrat, said it’s hum- the paperwork that proves
91-year-old James Cop- bling to present Coppola his promotion.
pola, of North Smithfield, with the Bronze Star for That promotion was a “big
Rhode Island. his heroism and the other honor,” Coppola said,
Reed thanked Coppola medals he earned. adding that he’s grate-
for risking his life fighting in “It’s a great honor to rec- U.S. Army veteran James Coppola, 91, of North Smithfield, R.I., ful to Reed’s staff for their
Germany as a U.S. Army ognize the service of an poses wearing his Bronze Star with other framed medals he hard work on his behalf.
combat infantryman. American fighting man like earned for his service Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at the office of Coppola, the father of
“You were right there for Jim,” he said. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed in Cranston, R.I. three children, will cel-
us,” Reed said. “As a young man he risked (AP Photo/Jennifer McDermott) ebrate his 70th wedding
Coppola replied, “A lot of his life to defend our coun- Reed has held hundreds of ognize veterans. anniversary in September
guys were. Everyone de- try and our values.” similar ceremonies to rec- Coppola earned several with his wife, Doreen. q