I travel to a lot of industry events and I must confess that sometimes they run together. And I have seen literally hundreds of people receive awards from different organizations. They were all deserving, but that is a lot of awards.

This week MCAA gave out their Distinguished Service award to John Odom of the Rancho Dominguez, Calif.-based Murray Co. at its annual meeting. Let’s just say this is one that I will not soon forget. Odom was at the Boston Marathon last year to watch his daughter run the race. He was with his wife waiting for his daughter to cross the finish line when the bombs went off. His legs were so badly injured that doctors did not think he was going to make it. In fact, his heart stopped twice on the operation table. However, 11 operations and a few months later, John walked out of the hospital to return to his California home.

The emotion was high when MCAA recognized Odom at its event in Phoenix. There were not many dry eyes in the crown as family and friends joined Odom on stage. The award presentation concluded with a spirited singing of “Sweet Caroline,” a song symbolizing the Boston Strong attitude that still exists today.