WHITE HOUSE —
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama travel to Boston Thursday to comfort families and victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, and meet with officials who responded to the attacks that killed three and wounded more than 170.
The president and the first lady will participate in an interfaith service in Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross, dedicated to those killed and wounded in Monday's bombings.
The White House says Obama will meet with local and state officials, and also likely with emergency workers and other first responders. It's not known if he will meet with any of those wounded in the Boston Marathon attacks.
Before a White House event Wednesday honoring the courage of wounded members of the military, Obama said the nation's thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston.
"Our hearts are with the families of the victims and now we send our support and encouragement to people who never expected that they would need it, wounded civilians who are just beginning what will be I am sure for some of them a long road to recovery," he said.
Obama said wounded warriors can serve as an inspiration to civilians recovering from wounds they suffered in the Boston bombings.
First Lady Michelle Obama added her voice. She spoke in Annapolis, Maryland about what she called the spirit shown by the people of Boston and by Americans in responding to the attacks.
"In times of crisis, here in America we respond with courage and grit and selflessness. That is exactly what we saw from the people of Boston," Obama said.
Late Wednesday, the FBI canceled a news briefing in Boston at which officials had been expected to discuss developments in the investigation. No arrests have been made.
The president and the first lady will participate in an interfaith service in Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross, dedicated to those killed and wounded in Monday's bombings.
The White House says Obama will meet with local and state officials, and also likely with emergency workers and other first responders. It's not known if he will meet with any of those wounded in the Boston Marathon attacks.
Before a White House event Wednesday honoring the courage of wounded members of the military, Obama said the nation's thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston.
"Our hearts are with the families of the victims and now we send our support and encouragement to people who never expected that they would need it, wounded civilians who are just beginning what will be I am sure for some of them a long road to recovery," he said.
Obama said wounded warriors can serve as an inspiration to civilians recovering from wounds they suffered in the Boston bombings.
First Lady Michelle Obama added her voice. She spoke in Annapolis, Maryland about what she called the spirit shown by the people of Boston and by Americans in responding to the attacks.
"In times of crisis, here in America we respond with courage and grit and selflessness. That is exactly what we saw from the people of Boston," Obama said.
Late Wednesday, the FBI canceled a news briefing in Boston at which officials had been expected to discuss developments in the investigation. No arrests have been made.
