Yesterday I attended an NSF-sponsor telecom R&D workshop at MIT in the Stata Building, the spot where MIT Campus Policer officer Sean Collier, 27, was murdered by the alleged marathon bombers. During the workshop was the memorial service for Officer Collier.

As an MIT grad I was very moved by the events of the day and the recognition of this brave effective police officer who was loved by the campus he protected. MIT has posted the video of the moving memorial service.

Due to announced road closures related to the memorial, I left the North Shore where I was staying with relatives, to drive to MIT around 7 AM under rainy skies on a typical cold New England Spring morning. As you can see in the video, the skies cleared and it turned into a beautiful Spring day as the service started at Noon.

President Obama said the following at the April 18th Interfaith Service in Boston:

Tomorrow, the sun will rise over Boston. Tomorrow, the sun will rise over this country that we love. This special place. This state of grace.

Scripture tells us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” As we do, may God hold close those who’ve been taken from us too soon. May He comfort their families. And may He continue to watch over these United States of America.

Collier’s family has requested that gifts in his memory go to The Jimmy Fund. MIT has created a Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund that will support a Collier Medal — to be awarded to individuals who demonstrate Collier’s values — and other causes.

MIT does not give honorary degrees, but Officer Collier was promptly named an honorary alumnus by MIT’s Alumni Association.