Locals React Positively to bin Laden News

As the news of Osama bin Laden's death began surfacing Sunday night into Monday morning, locals reacted positively, but said they must continue to look over their shoulders at the al Qaeda terror network.

"I found out this morning … and I was completely surprised,'' said Peter Thompson, one of the owners of Tire Town, an auto repair shop in Vernon, while shooting a video for Patch. ''I actually thought the military had forgotten about him to focus on other things.''

Thompson then thought about the news that bin Laden, the al Qaeda frontman who is being described in the Huffington Post as the world's ''most wanted terrorist,'' was killed in a raid by a Seal team in Pakistan.

''It's good news, and I am glad no Americans were hurt,'' he said.

Then Thompson thought again.

''I'm also afraid that there are 100 people behind him to step in,'' he said.

Situated at the intersection of routes 83 and 74 on the cusp of Rockville, things are busy at Tire Town on a Monday morning. Reaction echoed Thompson's sentiments as people came in and out of the garage.

''It's a good thing,'' said Sandy Holmes of Vernon after she dropped her car off for service. ''But I think it might lead to more terrorist attempts. Still, I am happy to hear about it for the families of 9/11.''

One customer said he would car more if bin Laden were the one who damaged a tire on his vehicle, but then said he welcomed the news of bin Laden's death.

Vernon native Kendra Corey Speck  had plenty of time to absorb the news Sunday night because of the time difference from her Las Vegas home.

Her husband, David, served in both Operation Desert Shield and the first Operation Desert Storm in the Air Force and was one of the first to deploy in the Middle East when the campaigns began.

She said he was in Florida on Sept. 11. She said the uncertainty of what would happen next was traumatic.

"It was a scary feeling because I did not know where Dave might be deployed,'' she said. "But the Air Force called me to ask if I talked to my husband. If I had not, it would have been arranged so I knew he was OK.''

How did she react to bin Laden's death?

She said she sang a song from the Wizard of Oz, but substituted a few words for witch. 

Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy chimed in by calling the death "an historic moment.''

“Nearly 10 years ago today, America suffered the worst attack from a foreign enemy on American soil,'' he said. ''Today’s news reminds us of the loss and heartache suffered on Sept. 11, 2001. However it also reminds us of  America’s perseverance and strong will to uphold freedom, liberty and justice. Today, we have upheld those very principles. I would like to thank the brave men and women in the armed services for unselfishly fighting to keep America safe and free.”

Kara Stauffer, who lives in Ellington near the Vernon line, is a student at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., She left campus for the White House shortly after she heard the news.

''There are people engaging in U.S.A. chants all around. There is so much American Pride right now,'' she said in a text message from the White House. ''There is no room to move. It is absolutely crazy here. I am right in front of the White House surrounded by who knows how many …''

Stauffer was at the White House revelry for about 90 minutes. She said police started to put up caution tape at about 1:30 a.m. in an effort to clear the packed sidewalks for the morning commute.

U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, a Vernon resident, talked about the Sept. 11 families.

"The brilliant, daring strike against Osama bin Laden will hopefully provide some closure for the families of the victims of 9/11 and be a platform for a new era of international cooperation to end the scourge of terrorism. Our intelligence, military and special forces - particularly the Navy Seals - who carried out this operation deserve our thanks and praise for their steadfast pursuit of bin Laden, refusing to be discouraged over 10 long years,'' he said.

Courtney continued, "President Obama made capturing or killing Osama bin Laden a priority for the CIA in the war on terror, and both he and our intelligence community deserve a tremendous amount of credit today for bringing to justice the most wanted man in the world."