On May 1, Osama bin Laden, the founder of the al-Qaeda terrorist group and mastermind behind the September 11 terrorist attacks, was killed in Abottabad, Pakistan during a raid carried out by Navy Seal Team Six and C.I.A operatives. After President Obama announced the death of bin Laden, declaring that “justice has been done,” waves of patriotism swept across the United States. Outside of the White House and at Ground Zero, many people gathered to celebrate the death of bin Laden. The celebrations even grew rowdy, with revelers climbing in trees, waving American flags and breaking out in chants such as “Osama, Osama, Osama, hey, hey, hey, goodbye.”
Tam students reflected upon what they remember from the tragic day of September 11, 2001 and shared their reactions to bin Laden’s death.
John Elliot — Freshman
“[On September 11] I remember going to kindergarten and nobody was talking. Teachers were freaked out and throughout the day my mom was glued to the TV. I was tripping out…. I think the killing of bin Laden is a good thing because it’s always good to kill another terrorist. There are always going to be terrorists, however, he [bin Laden] was the one that orchestrated it all.”
Jake Zwiebach — Sophomore
“I remember just about nothing [about September 11].…. I think he [bin Laden] had something to do with a number of terrorist attacks, but that doesn’t make him less human. He deserved a fair trial just like you would, if you killed 3,000 people. I think celebrating any person’s death is disgusting and I would never partake. ”
Rowan Walton — Juinor
“On September 11, I remember waking up to see [the attacks] on the news at breakfast. . …. I think he [bin Laden] deserved to be killed…. I think family or friends of those who had family or friends lost in the event have the right to feel as if the man got what he deserved, but [the killing] should not be handled like the Giants winning the World Series.”
David Fuchs — Senior
“On September 11, 2001, I was eight years old. I saw the image of two towers burning on the screen of [my mom’s] TV…. The killing of bin Laden was a good thing for the United States and the world. [It] also prevented a man who had architected the death of thousands of people… from inflicting further suffering upon the human race.”
Kevin Jordan – Sophomore
“I remember hearing about [September 11] at school and I came home because my Grandma lives in New York. The whole thing was very scary and sad. I think the killing [of bin Laden] is a good thing, but I don’t think terror is over. I think it’s reasonable to celebrate and people are allowed to be happy because he was the mastermind behind it all.”
Robin Weisselberg — Junior
“I remember my school principal on the loudspeaker saying we were going to have a few moments of silence to honor everyone who died in the [Twin] Towers…. A lot of people think that now he’s [bin Laden] gone we don’t have to worry about the threat he imposed on our national security. But… there are a lot more people out there that are angry that we killed him.”