A little over a year ago, on Patriot's Day of 2013, two immigrants - who came to America, enjoyed the benefits of freedom, while reaping the many opportunities this country has to offer - performed one of the most heinous acts in American history.
They took advantage of America's good will. They feebly attempted to strip us of an iconic event, the Super Bowl of marathons, enjoyed equally by both participants and spectators alike.
"Why?" we asked.
Many of us, in anger, lashed out. We rued the idea that the United States of America opens its arms to those who come to our country, yet fail to appreciate our ideals and values.
"Ingrates!" we cried.
But we are a nation of immigrants. My ancestors escaped a potato famine to work in the Pennsylvania coal mines. The actions of a few, however, are not representative of the immigrant spirit on which this nation was built.
So, at the Boston Marathon, on Patriot's Day 2014, it was an immigrant who strode down the same Boylston Street that, a year ago, had been defiled by senseless acts of violence.
It was a hard-working immigrant who represented what this country is all about: hard work, dedication, empathy and a will to win. It was an adopted son of America who was the leader of more than 32,000 runners, the second largest Boston Marathon field in history, who, on April 21, took back our finish line.
Meb Keflezighi, who immigrated to America from Eritrea as a boy, became the first American man to win the Boston marathon in 31 years, clocking a time of 2:08:37. He did so with elegance, class, and a unique sense of patriotism.
The names of last year's three Boston Marathon bombing victims, as well as the MIT police officer who was killed in the manhunt, were written on his bib.
"At the end, I just kept thinking, 'Boston Strong. Boston Strong,' " he said. "I was thinking, 'Give it everything you have. If you get beat, that's it.'
"I'm blessed to be an American and God bless America and God bless Boston for this special day," Keflezighi added. "I came here as a refugee and the United States gave me hope. This is probably the most meaningful victory for an American because of what happened last year."
At the Boston Marathon, Meb Keflezighi restored our hope.
He took back our finish line.
Several Schuylkill County runners, all Boston Marathon veterans, participated in the 118th running of the event April 21. All crossed the finish line in a display of solidarity that defied the forces of evil that marred last year's event.
Pottsville's Sandi Bergan turned in a time of 4:37:54. Mary Bosack of New Ringgold crossed the finish line in 4:27:22. Jennifer Burgess, from Minersville, ran a 3:40:37. Former Orwigsburg native Mike Carriglitto ran a time of 2:39:31. Saint Clair's Samantha Snukis finished in 2:58:11, and Pottsville's Jennifer Terefencko broke the tape in 3:21:14.
Congratulations to our local runners, and all who finished the historic 2014 Boston Marathon.
(Muldowney is an avid runner and local educator)