Residents Celebrate bin Laden's Death, Wonder About Retaliation

From bus stops to coffee shops, the death of America’s number one terrorist was on everyone’s mind. Farmington residents' reactions to the news that U.S. troops had taken out Osama bin Laden in a firefight varied, but cautious enthusiasm seemed to be the theme.

"Osama bin Laden has been the face of terrorism against innocent people since the World Trade Center attacks. There has been a regrettable loss of life in New York City and throughout the world as a result of his campaigns. We must still be vigilant in our pursuit of others that surely will aspire to take the place of bin Laden," said Farmington state Rep. William Wadsworth.

Jeff Hogan, assistant chief for Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, who served his country and fellow firefighters at Ground Zero on Sept. 12, 2001, said the news is indeed a relief.

"For many of us who were called to Ground Zero on 9/11 and 9/12 to see the grisly results of this evil man's plot the answer is a definitive yes. He can no longer prey on innocents in the name of God. I hold that as a truth," he said Sunday night.

Around town, people were satisfied, relieved, cautious.

“It’s a good thing. Now they can start to break down his following, especially if they keep on going down the line with the rest of the terrorists,” said Rich DiFabio, who was having coffee with his father, who wasn’t sure about the method.

“It’s a waste of time to shoot him. There are other ways to handle the problem,” said Salvatore DiFabio.

Kevin Plourde of Plainville wasn’t sure whether he should believe the news. “I’m a little skeptical. I won’t believe it until I see it and even pictures can be faked.”

Waiting for the bus in front of Stop & Shop a group of women was celebrating.

“I’m glad he’s dead! Hooray, hooray, hooray! The witch is dead,” said Yvonne Sullivan.

Darryl Haberern of Canton said bin Laden’s death was a positive thing for the whole world.

“It’s good for the planet, it’s good for the U.S. It really is a relief,” she said. “God has really been working in the right way and it came to pass.”

Jackalyn Gray of Unionville put on her American flag pin to join in the country’s victory. “I think it’s wonderful, I really do. It’s relieved a lot of people and brought closure to the families. The U.S really persevered.”

A few wondered if bin Laden’s death might incite retaliation from among his followers.

“I think it’s a little safer now without him, though it doesn’t solve all the problems. It might even heighten the situation with retaliation, so we have to be on our guard against that,” said Dave Milligan of Avon.

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District, en route back to the United States after a trip to Afghanistan, issued a written statement.

"Nothing can ever restore the moral order undone by Osama bin Laden's horrifying attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, but now Americans can sleep easier knowing that a man of true evil no longer walks this earth," the statement said."The killing of bin Laden does not erase the damage he did, but it brings us one giant step closer to justice."

Farmington Town Council Chairman Mike Clark, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 5th District, wrote in an email that it's important to send "the message that anyone who commits such acts of murder and terrorism will be brought to justice."

"I am very proud of my country and those men and women serving our country," he wrote.  "I hope and pray that in some small way this helps the thousands of families impacted by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 bring some closure to the tragedy."

Other public officials in Connecticut also greeted the death of Osama bin Laden with satisfaction.

U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, compared it to the death of Adolf Hitler, Sen. Richard Blumenthal called it a historic victory and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy remembered the grim scene in his hometown of Stamford on Sept. 11, 2001.

"As mayor of Stamford on 9/11, I remember waiting on the train platform there as scared, confused, and overwhelmed commuters made their way home, none of us fully understanding what had just happened," Malloy said in a prepared statement released late Sunday. "I also cannot forget the Connecticut residents we lost that day.

Larson echoed President Barack Obama's call for unity.

"The most wanted man in the world has been brought to justice by the American people. It is a historic moment, rivaled only by the demise of Adolf Hitler," he said in a press release.

"I want to commend President Obama and the men and women in uniform and in our intelligence service for their great efforts. I also want to commend President Bush, who rallied our nation in our moment of need on 9/11.

Blumenthal called the death of bin Laden a turning point, but emphasized that the war on terror is not over.

“Striking down this enemy of democracy and freedom is an historic victory for our nation and marks a significant turning point in the war on terror," he said in a prepared statement. "However, we must remain vigilant, vigorous and avoid complacency in the war against terror which continues since the enemies of democracy and freedom are greater than one individual. "