Local reaction to bin Laden’s death

ALLAN OAKES

BY MICHAEL J. RUDOLF

Some local families affected directly by the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the subsequent war on terror reacted to Sunday’s news that Osama bin Laden was killed.

Janet Arnold of Montrose is the mother of Staff Sgt. Daniel Arnold who was killed along with five other members of his National Guard unit while fighting in Afghanistan on Sept. 28, 2005.

She said the news of bin Laden’s death is good for the country as a whole, but in some aspects it is far too late.

“Justice has been served, but unfortunately it can’t bring our loved ones back.”

Arnold said she has great respect for the forces who conducted the raid in Abbottabad, and her son would have as well.

“I’m very proud of the military, and I’m especially proud of the Navy SEALS who went in,” she said.

Allan Oakes of Montrose is the father of Staff Sgt. Curtis Oakes, who along with five of his colleagues was killed Nov. 29, 2010, when his unit was attacked in Afghanistan.

“It’s about time we got him,” Oakes said of bin Laden. “I’m sorry it took so long.”

Oakes said he understands the risks that those committing the raid took, remembering the incident that claimed his son’s life.

“My son was proud of what he did. He was doing it over there for the United States,” Oakes said.

Kendra Lynn of Tunkhannock, whose brother, Staff Sgt. Steven Tudor was killed in a grenade attack in Afghanistan on April 21, 2007,  called bin Laden’s death “bittersweet.”

“I almost felt like I know him, and they got my brother’s murderer,” Lynn said.

Lynn said she was watching television on Sunday when a message appeared on the screen that President Barack Obama would address the nation late that night.

“I thought, wow, it has to be something big. I just had this whole feeling come over me,” Lynn said.

As the president delivered the news, Lynn said she had a strange sensation come over her.

“They caught the person who I ultimately blame for my brother’s death,” she said.

Lynn noted that she holds no angst for the Afghani people; in fact, she believes they are celebrating as much as Americans are.

“The civilians in Afghanistan, I think they’re happy. Those people are probably relieved he’s gone,” Lynn said.