Annandale Residents React to Bin Laden's Death

Months before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Barack Obama announced Sunday evening that , ending the decade long search for the al Qaida leader.

LOCALS RESPOND TO BIN LADEN'S DEATH

Most Annandale residents seemed relieved or happy when asked about their reaction to the news. One woman leaving the who refused to give her name said she was “thrilled” and “over the flipping moon” to hear bin Laden was dead.

Over at the Annandale American Legion Post 1976, Dick George said several members held a toast for the Navy SEALS responsible for bin Laden’s death.

“I was happy to hear it,” George said of his reaction when he heard the news. “It took long enough.” Other Post 1976 members expressed similar reactions.

Although many have taken to the Internet, blogs and other outlets to express their thoughts and praise Obama, George said he felt the victory was more for the country than the president.

Resident Wanda Newman said she heard about bin Laden’s death from her husband Monday morning. “It’s a big relief for the families,” said Newman. “[But] The war on terrorism is not over.”

A Northern Virginia Community College student at the said the news hadn’t affected him at all. “I was asleep, but when I heard about it this morning, I just went ‘ok cool’ and got ready for school. It’s just another day,” the student, who only identified himself as James, said.

On the Annandale Patch Facebook page, Rita Denniston Zimmerman said, “Glad they got him. U.S. Forces are the best in the world! It took some time, but we have and will continue to prevail. May he burn in hell!”

Virginia representatives also reacted to the news with Gov. Bob McDonnell and Rep. Gerry Connolly issuing statements.  Read their full statements below.

Governor Bob McDonnell:

 This is a great and historic moment for America and the world. I applaud President Barack Obama, his Administration and the brave men and women of our military for this successful operation. The death of Osama Bin Laden brings final justice to the evil perpetrator of the attacks of 9/11. Justice has truly been served. While we celebrate this news, we must also remember that The War on Terror is not over. We cannot rest until our nation is secure, and all threats to our freedom and our people are eliminated.  On this day, and every day, we continue to remember those we lost on that tragic day in September 2001, the brave service men and women who have died defending our nation in the years following that attack, and the family and friends they have left behind. We will never forget.

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly:

The confirmation by President Obama that Osama Bin Laden was killed by a secret U.S. government operation is a significant development in our war against Al Queda.  We have cut off the head of the evil terrorist organization that killed more than 3,000 Americans and thousands more across the world.
 
I hope the news of Bin Laden's death brings some measure of comfort to the families of those who perished in the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as well as the American military families who have lost sons and daughters in the war against terrorism. 
 
Justice has been served.
 
President Obama made it clear from his first days in office that bringing down Bin Laden was a top priority.  I applaud his persistence and that of our nation's military and intelligence community in seeking out Bin Laden.  I'm confident our forces will continue to aggressively pursue other Al Queda leaders and weaken this vile terrorist organization. 
 
While bringing this chapter of the war to closure is welcome news, the United States and other nations around the globe must remain vigilant to protect ourselves from future terrorist attacks and to further weaken Al Queda.