Community Corner

UPDATED 5:35 p.m.: Weston Responds to Death of Osama bin Laden

What's your response?

Updated 5:35 p.m., from correspondent Matt Rand:

Matt Rand spoke to some Weston residents in Weston center today. Here's what they had to say:

“I think it's kind of tough to be happy over death but if anybody is going to be happy over death I guess it should be that one [Osama Bin Laden’s].”

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--Kristi McKenna outside Bruegger’s Bagels 

“I think it's phenomenal at this point that he has been brought to justice for all the the tragedy [he’s] caused in this country.” 

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--Charles Aggouras outside Bruegger’s Bagels 

“I don’t think there is anything to celebrate [in Bin Laden’s death] because of the human cost of that war -- both in our servicemen and the people who live in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also the trillions of dollars that we wasted pursuing that war, which is a major impact on our economy. So I think celebrations are premature. Let's just get out of there, end it."

--William Angelo on the street in downtown Weston Center.

“I think it was a bloody good thing... I lost a cousin in the tower, she was a stewardess on the plane. She filled in for another girl who had to work that day. She left two children and a husband. I don’t want to say anything obscene, but the SOB deserved every bullet he got."

--Declined to state name. In the parking lot next to the fire house. 

“You know, I haven’t really thought about it. But it's been ten years, and now I’d like to see Gaddafi go also.”     

--Susan Broome on the street in Weston Center

Updated 3:40 p.m.:

Malik Khan, president of the , located in Wayland, said today he hopes that bin Laden's death brings a new, more hopeful feel to the next decade.

"We hope and pray things turn around," he said.

Ever since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, there has been so much violence, so much blood shed, and Khan said he hopes it is all over, at least for now.

He said the surrounding community has been very supportive of the center and so far, it has not received any inflammatory calls or emails.

Khan also mentioned the center's alliance with the Weston-Wayland Interfaith Action Group, who have also worked with Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, women from Needham and Wellesley, respectively, who both lost husbands in the attacks, and who began the Beyond the 11th Project, which supports widows in Afghanistan.

Whatever the end result may be of bin Laden's death, Khan is optimistic it means better things for all.

"I hope and pray that somehow, this event takes us to better times now."

Updated 3 p.m.:

Many updates from : Allen Hackel, of Newton, lost his wife, Paige Farley-Hackel, who was on United Airlines Flight 175. He told Newton Patch: ""It's about time [Osama bin Laden] was found, after 10 years... [Bin Laden] deserved to be killed, but it doesn't take away the pain. I'm glad it [the attack on bin Laden's compound] happened, but it doesn't make me feel any better."

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Dozens of people from the Boston area died in the attack that clear morning of September 11, 2001 — especially on the two flights that left from Logan. While no one from Weston died that day, several people in Sudbury and Wayland did, among then Jane Louise Simpkin of Wayland and Geoffrey Cloud, Cora Hidalgo Holland and Peter Morgan Goodrich of Sudbury.

To see all the names of Massachusetts residents killed on September 11, 2011, click on this list, courtesy CNN. 

Congressman Edward Markey of the 7th District, which includes Weston, released the following statement today: 

This announcement, only a few months before the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, is an enormous milestone in our country's efforts to combat terrorism. It is a testament to the courageous and relentless work of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe overseas and here at home.

Osama Bin Laden was the face of terror against the United States, the personification of the horror of the September 11th attacks. With the life of one of world history's most evil figures now extinguished, hopefully a measure of relief and healing can come to the families and loved ones of his victims. We will never forget those who perished on 9-11, including those on the two hijacked planes from Logan Airport that crashed into the World Trade Center Towers.

As our nation moves forward, we must remain vigilant and continue our efforts to detect and deter attacks from al Qaeda and its affiliates around the world.”

Patch is venturing forth in Weston today to capture your thoughts and feelings about the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden; we will be posting pictures and comments throughout the day. We also invite you to post your response in the comments section below. 


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