Musicians Putting on Concert to Benefit the Heroes, Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

Watertown will host a Concert for Peace, Love and Healing on June 22, which will be a tribute to the victims and heroes of the Boston Marathon Bombings.

The venue for the concert will be Watertown High School.

"This concert is an attempt to show our love and support as a community for everyone involved," said Newton firefighter Brian McNamara. “When the spotlight goes away and the adrenaline rush is over, that is when support is needed. I learned firsthand the healing that comes from continuous love and support from family and friends in the aftermath of a tragedy.”

The Jessica Locke Foundation will sponsor the concert, and proceeds will benefit first responders affected by the events in Boston and Watertown. She became involved with helping firefighters and others after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"There is a cost for heroism," said Locke, executive director of the foundation. "These first responders, as we witnessed so recently, suppress their natural instincts of self-preservation,and put themselves in extremely stressful and dangerous situations. If we fail to recognize the effects of this exposure, it can lead to Post Traumatic Stress years later."

Some of the heroes of 9/11 who suffered from PTSD turned to self-medicating, which sometimes led to them being terminated.

"These terminations, leaving these men with no pensions or health care, are disgraceful," Locke said. "Firefighters and police officers are just as human and vulnerable as the rest of us."

Bands playing at the concert will include musicians from near and far. Among the performers will be Watertown residents Ray McNamara, Tony Vigna, Tom Collins, Tom Devaney, Brian Munger, Margot Oullet, Gary Robley and a special appearance by 7 year old Casey Lee McNamara.

Bagpipes will open the concert, and songs featured in the concert include: The Beatles "Across the Universe," "America" by Simon & Garfunkel, "Us & Them" by Pink Floyd, “Fix You” by Coldplay, Roy Orbison's "Crying," and "Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World."

Doors open at 7 p.m, and the concert begins at 7:30.  There is a suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away because of inability to pay. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance visit www.firefightersfund.org or contact Brian at 617-699-6480.