By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
Officials, groups and residents reacted this week to the news that terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan.
The man who government officials said was responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington,D.C., that killed an estimated 3,000 people including more than 300 first responders, was gunned down by a United States Navy Seals unit in a fortified compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan on Sunday, according to officials.
”Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children,” President Barack Obama said in a televised address to the nation late Sunday evening.
Thousands of people gathered in front of the White House in Washington D.C. as well as at Ground Zero in New York City following Mr. Obama’s announcement.
Comment on the killing reverberated throughout the nation, state and local community on Monday and Tuesday.
The Islamic Society of Central Jersey released a statement Tuesday expressing its gratitude to the special forces that raided the compound and felled bin Laden.
”We hope that bin Laden’s death will bring some measure of closure to the families of 9/11,” the statement reads. “Many of whom are Muslim Americans, including members of the (Islamic society) community.”
According to society spokesman Arif Patel, two members of the society lost their lives during the attacks.
The society expressed relief for bin Laden’s death in the statement and called on everyone to remain on the look-out for all terrorists.
”We must remain vigilant against terrorists of all persuasions,” The statement reads. “We speak as Americans and as human beings who are committed to peace and democracy.”
Retired firefighter and newly elected Board of Education member Pat Del Piano said in a telephone interview Monday that he and his fellow Ladder 7 firefighters in Jersey City helped to send supplies over to Ground Zero, but worked across the river in New Jersey removing dust from contaminated people leaving the city.
He said that Sept. 11 attacks were a sad day in U.S. history, and that it is hard for him to talk about it. Mr. Del Piano said he started his shift 8 that morning, and that after the attacks the firefighters worked 24-hour shifts.
He also said that he lost at least a dozen personal friends including people he grew up and went to high school and grammar school with in the attacks.
”Good people, good friends,” he said.
Jersey City lost one firefighter who worked as a photographer and news reporter when he was hit with debris as the building fell, Mr. Del Piano said.
Sometimes the families of those friends he lost call him to see how he is doing, he said.
”I want to thank our servicemen and women for the job they’re doing today,” Mr. Del Piano said.
Despite bin Laden’s death, the nation is still at war with al Qaeda and terrorism, he said.
”Although any loss of life is tragic, I think with Osama bin Laden’s demise comes great closure to the friends and the families of those lost on 9/11,” Mr. Del Piano said. “It’s a great victory for the U.S. and our other allies towards terror.”
Yardley, Pennsylvania, resident Mark Gardner, 45, said he was very happy about bin Laden’s death outside the Wawa at the Five Corners intersection in Dayton Monday morning.
”I think that it’s justice served,” Mr. Gardner said. “In the end we all know what he did.”
Manalapan resident Tony Catania, 42, who works in South Brunswick and was also visiting the store on George’s Road, said, “It’s been a long time coming.”
There is a “sense of relief” with bin Laden’s death, but there may still be repercussions, Mr. Catania said.
South Brunswick Township Mayor Frank Gambatese said a lot of Muslims also lost their lives because of bin Laden.
He said the killing of bin Laden is not only “totally justified” but it also brings closure to all those people who lost family members or friends in 9/11 and the wars in Afganistan and Iraq, as well as those troops who were wounded.
”If it ends with people respecting others, no matter who they are than the killing of (bin Laden) will have had a real positive effect on the world,” Mr. Gambatese said.
Mr. Gambatese said he does not know what will happen next, and that in the meantime people have to be vigilant.
”I don’t see him as a martyr, I see him as a coward hiding in the mountains,” Mr. Gambatese said.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie expressed his opinion during a press conference Monday.
”I can’t think of anything better for Osama bin Laden than to have met his end at the hands of the American military and to be buried at sea,” Gov. Christie said.
Mr. Christe, who had just been nominated as a U.S. attorney the day before the 2001 attacks, said both his wife and brother were in lower Manhattan that morning.
”This was not only professional for me, but also personal as well, given the fortunate experiences of my wife and brother,” Mr. Christie said. “I think there’s an extraordinary sense of closure for a lot of people that the person who masterminded and ordered these attacks that killed 3,000 of our citizens has now been brought to justice himself.”
Chief of Police Raymond Hayducka echoed Mr. Christie’s sentiment.
”The events of that day (9/11) are etched in all our memories as a wound that will never completely heal. Bin Laden’s death gives us some closure with the knowledge that justice was served,” Chief Hayducka said in a statement. “The threat he possessed does not go away but neither does our commitment to always be vigilant.”
Sgt. James Ryan said township police officers were sent to New York City to help with the search and rescue efforts after Sept. 11, and that the township lost three residents in the attacks.
Sgt. Ryan said the township will still be working with other agencies to prevent other terrorist attacks.
”We are always aware of our threat level as a community. While today’s headlines may make the average resident more aware of events around them, our efforts are always on being vigilant,” Sgt. Ryan said in a statement. “We are constantly sharing intelligence with our law enforcement partners at the county, state, and federal level.”

