In the aftermath of Monday's deadly attack, there were countless stories of heroism, from aid for victims to smaller acts — a drink of water, use of a phone or a place to stay 
A Boston Red Sox jersey with the Boston area code was hung in the Boston dugout before a game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Tuesday, a gesture to honor those killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings a day earlier. (Photo: David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
Story Highlights - Victim who could not walk says strangers carried him to grocery store, where others helped
- Soldiers said explosions reminded them of IEDs they encountered during combat in Iraq
BOSTON -- First Sgt. Bernard Madore served two deployments in Iraq, spending almost two years in hostile territory during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
While his military training prepared him to help after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, little could prepare the longtime national guardsman for what he saw.
"When you're over there, you almost expect it," he said on Tuesday. "I've seen bombs go off. This was by far one of the most horrific scenes."
Madore was one of three soldiers in Army fatigues who rushed toward the explosions, trying to direct people away from the scene and help police tear down a barrier between the sidewalk and the course.
Their quick reactions were only one of the many stories of people doing whatever they could to help, from running toward the scene to aid victims to smaller acts of kindness — a drink of water, use of a cell phone or a place to stay. In response to a deadly act of cowardice, stories of heroism defined the race and the city.
VIDEO: Man in iconic photo was Tough Ruck member 
A Boston Red Sox jersey with the Boston area code was hung in the Boston dugout before a game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Tuesday, a gesture to honor those killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings a day earlier. (Photo: David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
Story Highlights - Victim who could not walk says strangers carried him to grocery store, where others helped
- Soldiers said explosions reminded them of IEDs they encountered during combat in Iraq
BOSTON -- First Sgt. Bernard Madore served two deployments in Iraq, spending almost two years in hostile territory during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
While his military training prepared him to help after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, little could prepare the longtime national guardsman for what he saw.
"When you're over there, you almost expect it," he said on Tuesday. "I've seen bombs go off. This was by far one of the most horrific scenes."
Madore was one of three soldiers in Army fatigues who rushed toward the explosions, trying to direct people away from the scene and help police tear down a barrier between the sidewalk and the course.
Their quick reactions were only one of the many stories of people doing whatever they could to help, from running toward the scene to aid victims to smaller acts of kindness — a drink of water, use of a cell phone or a place to stay. In response to a deadly act of cowardice, stories of heroism defined the race and the city.
VIDEO: Man in iconic photo was Tough Ruck member
BOSTON -- First Sgt. Bernard Madore served two deployments in Iraq, spending almost two years in hostile territory during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
While his military training prepared him to help after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, little could prepare the longtime national guardsman for what he saw.
"When you're over there, you almost expect it," he said on Tuesday. "I've seen bombs go off. This was by far one of the most horrific scenes."
Madore was one of three soldiers in Army fatigues who rushed toward the explosions, trying to direct people away from the scene and help police tear down a barrier between the sidewalk and the course.
Their quick reactions were only one of the many stories of people doing whatever they could to help, from running toward the scene to aid victims to smaller acts of kindness — a drink of water, use of a cell phone or a place to stay. In response to a deadly act of cowardice, stories of heroism defined the race and the city.
VIDEO: Man in iconic photo was Tough Ruck member