AMERICANS living in Bendigo say they feel for the victims of yesterday’s Boston bomb blasts and their families.
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Several American citizens told the Bendigo Advertiser the explosions had brought back memories of September 11 and the fear that followed.
Jazzmar Ferguson said he called family and friends when he heard of the bombings and said the entire nation was reeling from the apparent terrorist attack.
“We don’t really know what to expect at the moment,” he said. “It’s a really scary time for Americans.”
“I know that I’m in a really secure place being in Australia but I just feel for all people that are affected.”
Alaska native Kelsey Griffin said the news was “heartbreaking”.
“It’s horrible someone feels the need to kill so many innocent people,” she said.
“My heart goes out to the families affected by it.
“It’s really, really unfortunate that a great event like the Boston Marathon has to be damaged by such a heinous action.
“When something like this happens it really makes people insecure and worry about the safety of their friends and family.”
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Wisconsin resident Jason Kouba was in Bendigo yesterday and said the bombings were shocking.
“I was talking to a colleague with a daughter running in the Boston Marathon and she was having trouble getting in touch with them... all the cell phone lines were very much tied up,” he said.
“I was living in Texas during 9/11 and actually working as a flight attendant.
“Every time we see something like this, any kind of tragic event, it all brings back thoughts of 9/11 and how much the world has changed since that fateful day .
“I think it’s another event that can change our future.”
Former New Jersey resident Kim Siemensma was also in Bendigo yesterday and said her mother had been in Manhattan for business on September 11.
Ms Siemensma said she saw smoke rising from Manhattan on the day and said her local community had been profoundly affected.
“It’s definitely an effective mechanism for scaring people,” Ms Siemensma said.
“But it makes you wonder how they make their statement, how it furthers their cause.
“That’s the question I always ask.
“I don’t think a bombing makes a statement other than being a senseless killing.”
