Apr 15, 2014

Boston began its memorials of last year’s marathon bombing attack, which killed three people and injured 264, on a quiet note Tuesday, with Mayor Martin Walsh and Cardinal Sean O’Malley visiting wreaths left at the spots where the two bombs went off.

: Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley (L) joins the family of Boston Marathon bombing victim Martin Richard at the finish line for a wreath-laying ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts April 15, 2014. Martin Richard’s sister Jane (5th R) wipes her face as she stands with her mother Denise (4th R), brother Henry (3rd R) and father Bill (2nd R). (Brian Snyder /Reuters)

: Massachusetts state and local police and fire department members stand near the site of one of the bombs following a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: Massachusetts state and local police and fire department members present flags during a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: The family of Martin Richard including Bill Richard, along with Boston mayor Marty Walsh, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and other members of the victims families stand during a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley greet members of the victims families during a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick walks with his wife, Diane, and members of the victims families during a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: Members of the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police practice marching prior to a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Members of the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police practice marching prior to a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: A runner runs underneath the Boston Marathon finish line photo bridge on the morning of the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: A Boston police officer waves traffic across the finish line of the Boston Marathon on the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Members of the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police practice marching prior to a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Members of the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police practice marching prior to a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Members of the Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police practice marching prior to a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Members of the Boston Police Department practice marching prior to a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: A knitted tribute hangs on a street light along the course of the Boston Marathon on the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Flowers lie on the finish line of the Boston Marathon on the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Flowers lie on the finish line of the Boston Marathon on the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: A knitted tribute hangs on a street light along the course of the Boston Marathon on the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Flags fly at half mast in tandem for a ceremony commemorating the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing , on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. Neary says she was standing near the site of the bombing before it went off. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Police officers stand guard near the finish line for the Boston Marathon on the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing , on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. Neary says she was standing near the site of the bombing before it went off. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Sharon Neary, of Rochester, New York, cries while watching a billboard television screen broadcasting the ceremony commemorating the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing , on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. Neary says she was standing near the site of the bombing before it went off. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: People watch a billboard television screen broadcasting the ceremony commemorating the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing , on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. Neary says she was standing near the site of the bombing before it went off. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Officers practice marching in unison in an alley in preparation for the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing , on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. Neary says she was standing near the site of the bombing before it went off. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Tattered Boston Marathon flags wave outside the entrance of the Old South Church on Boylston Street near the finish line of the Boston Marathon prior to the flag raising ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: Boston Police officers and a K-9 unit patrol the finish line of the Boston Marathon prior to the flag raising ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

: Tom Duggan hugs Sarah Rogo, who said they were both present last year at the marathon, while a billboard television screen broadcasts the ceremony commemorating the one year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing , on April 15, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Last year, two pressure cooker bombs killed three and injured an estimated 264 others during the Boston marathon, on April 15, 2013. Neary says she was standing near the site of the bombing before it went off. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

: Kevin Brown puts up a hand made memorial for victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings near the race’s finish line in Boston, Massachusetts April 15, 2014, on the one year anniversary of the bombings. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

: Former Boston Mayor Tom Menino (2nd L) wipes his face during a moment of silence with current Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (3rd L), U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (C), Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (2nd R) and Boston Athletic Association Executive Director Tom Grilk, during a ceremony at the finish line, on the one-year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings in Boston, Massachusetts April 15, 2014. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, other leaders and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing shared messages of thanks and defiance on Tuesday at a tribute to the three people killed and 264 wounded in the attack exactly one year ago. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Accompanied by an honour guard of local police, a group of dignitaries that also included Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the family of the youngest victim, eight-year-old Martin Richard, stopped twice along Boylston Street near the race’s finish line.

They embraced and spoke softly as bagpipes played, but made no public remarks ahead of a memorial where U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is due to speak.

.@VP Joe Biden: "We are Boston. We are America. We respond. We endure. We overcome. And we own the finish line." #BostonStrong

— Mashable (@mashable) April 15, 2014

After the memorial, which also will feature musical performances, the city will observe a moment of silence at 2:49 p.m. EDT, the time the first bomb went off.

The April 15, 2013 blasts tore through the crowded finish line of the world renowned race, injuring spectators, volunteers and athletes, in the worst mass-casualty attack on U.S. soil since the September 11, 2011 attacks that killed 3,000 people.

This year’s race, set for April 21, will take place in an environment of heightened security with the 36,000 runners and tens of thousands of expected spectators facing new restrictions, including bans on carrying backpacks into the race corridor.

Federal prosecutors say that a pair of ethnic Chechen brothers, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, carried their homemade pressure-cooker bombs to the finish line in backpacks.

The bombs killed Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, 29, and Chinese national Lu Lingzi, 23.

Three days after the attack, the FBI released pictures of the suspected bombers and requested the public’s help in finding them. That prompted the Tsarnaev brothers to attempt a hasty flight from Boston, which began with them shooting dead Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer Sean Collier, prosecutors said, in an unsuccessful attempt to steal his gun.

That prompted a police chase that ended in a gun battle in the Boston suburb of Watertown. Tamerlan, 26, was killed and Dzhokhar, now 20, escaped before being captured on April 19.

The brother is awaiting trial on charges that carry the possibility of execution if he is convicted. – Tribune wire, Reuters

One year after the Boston Marathon bombing, a quiet ceremony

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