Less than a day after President Obama announced to the world and
the country that Osama bin Laden was dead, locals were beaming with
national pride and a sense of closure.
Less than a day after President Obama announced to the world and the country that Osama bin Laden was dead, locals were beaming with national pride and a sense of closure.
In what was called a “great day for Americans,” county supervisors, mothers, policemen and veterans all expressed gratitude about the death of the man behind the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
“This is a good day because Osama bin Laden is dead,” Supervisor Robert Rivas said, after a press conference Tuesday regarding an increase to local crime. “He was clearly a threat to the security of this nation, whether you live in California or New York.”
The reactions come after President Obama’s 8:30 p.m. speech Sunday announcing the death of the world’s most wanted terrorist. The president’s 10-minute speech highlighted the efforts of the military and the operations that led to bin Laden’s demise.
“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,” Obama said.
Bin Laden was killed nearly 10 years after the attacks on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
Obama’s speech included a mention of former District 16 and 17 Congressman Leon Panetta – who represented San Benito County – praising the current Central Intelligence Agency director for his hard work in finding bin Laden.
“Shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle and defeat his network,” Obama said.
For Hollister resident and military veteran Charlie Scott, he was glad there was finally some closure, but warned attacks on the country are not over.
“I think it’s good that we finally got him out from his burrows,” Scott said. “He has been on the run for a long time, but we finally got him. It feels good to finally close this loop.”
Scott worried, though, of a return attack from the terrorist organization, but realized it was an important day and event.
“For closure, it was important that we do this,” he said.
Blue Star Mom member Terrie Ferguson’s son returned from duty this year. She was glad to see the day finally come, she said. The Blue Star Moms group, comprised of military mothers, aims to support troops who are abroad and returning home.
“I’m really glad that justice has finally been served,” she said. “But we must not forget about those troops that are still out protecting our country. Keep them in our prayers for a safe return.”
Her son, Cory Ferguson, could not be reached immediately before press time.
Scott echoed the support of the troops still overseas.
“We haven’t seen the last of it,” he said.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho was relieved that bin Laden was finally caught, he said.
“We are all thankful we put the final thought in the SOB’s (expletive) head,” Botelho said. “I have a lot of pride in our military and I’m happy to see this day come.”
Supervisor Margie Barrios said the wait for justice was “long enough.”
“The country should be ecstatic that he was finally caught,” she said.
