Home
Arts and Culture
Food and Wine
History
People and Places
Photos
Science and Nature
Travel and Lodging
 
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
Home » PEOPLE AND PLACES » CONNECTICUT » Remembering the Fallen
Remembering the Fallen

Editorial Comment: The Death of Osama Bin Laden

By Mark B. Oliver | May 02, 2011

On a quiet September morning in 2001, unspeakable acts of terrorism and violence were unleashed on unsuspecting civilians and the world changed forever.

We all remember where we were on 9/11, whether we were on a plane that was unexpectedly landing, disbelievingly watching events unfold on television, or were ourselves witness to the most brutal act of terrorism ever to occur on American soil.

Just before midnight last night, President Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden, the notorious founder and leader of Al-Qaeda had been located in Abbottabad, an affluent town near Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Following a brief firefight Bin Laden was dead and his body in US custody.

For many people this is cause for celebration as the man responsible not just for the September 11 attacks, but also the 1998 bombings at the US embassy in Kenya and other atrocities across the globe, is no longer able to lead the organization that he founded.

Many New Englanders died on September 11, 2001, and one of the most haunting images that lingers in my mind is not from downtown Manhattan, a field in Pennsylvania or the devastated Pentagon.

It was an image that was repeated in many, many towns across New England and our neighboring states - cars left uncollected at railway stations.   It brought home the very real personal effect of the tragedy, that the drivers would never return to collect their cars and drive home to their loved ones.

For the survivors of these attacks, the families and friends of those lost, and to our military, the events of yesterday will likely bring a sense of relief that the man that inflicted such harm, could no longer hurt anyone else.

We here at ONE, are quietly reflecting on those that have been lost to terrorism incited by Bin Laden, and those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives, so we may all sleep just a little easier today.

Share |
ONE is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.