Joe Andruzzi: 'We've Gotten Stronger As A Community' Since Marathon Bombings

BOSTON (CBS) - One year ago, Boston was changed forever when a set of bombs went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The city of Boston rallied together to form Boston Strong, uniting to help all the victims recover and heal.

Former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi was a part of the story as he was shown helping people moments after the bombs went off. Andruzzi called into the show on Tuesday, joining Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak to share his own story.

"We're up here for a reason, we're moving forward," Andruzzi said. "We've gotten stronger as a community. And the two words that best fits our community these days is 'Boston Strong.'"

Last year, Andruzzi was at the marathon to support his charity and its runners when tragedy struck. Andruzzi sprung into action to help out.

"We're going back to finish what we started," Andruzzi said. "Until what happened last year, we were having a grand old time. Everybody was having so much fun, and then all of the sudden, in a split second, that changed. From serving drinks to cutting up towels and getting ice out of the bar. … It was a tough day for a lot of people."

Andruzzi noted how there will be a large turnout for the marathon this year, many of them participating for the first time.

"There's 36,000 runners this year," Andruzzi said. "And the majority of them are not elite runners. They're out there with a charity bib, raising money and putting their body through a tough test. Four to six months of training. … Going out there Monday to cross that finish line, some for the first time."

While today is a day of remembrance, Andruzzi urged people to take the raw emotion and turn it into something positive.

"We can't focus in on what happened last year," Andruzzi said. "We can't say, 'What if this, or what if that.' We need to focus in on taking that negative and now making it a positive and moving forward. Hearing the stories of these survivors on the inspirational things they've done in a year have been truly amazing."

Listen below for the full interview:

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