Politics & Government

Bernards Mayor: 'A lot of People Will Feel That Justice Has Finally Been Served' With bin Laden's Death

Malay hopes killing of al Qaeda leader may bring 'closure' to families of Basking Ridge 9/11 victims.

President Barack Obama confirmed the death of Osama Bin Laden in a live address to the world Sunday night, news that brought inevitably brought memories to the families and neighbors of Basking Ridge residents killed at the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

Obama authorized an operation to kill Bin Laden last week after his location was confirmed. Bin Laden died in a firefight Sunday at a compound outside Islamabad. While the president did not provide details, he said the United States has been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Pakistan.

"Bernards Township did suffer heavily on 9/11 because we had so many people who were killed," said township mayor John Malay. Those local residents who were killed were spouses and parents as well as victims of terrorism, he noted.

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"I think a lot of people will feel that justice has finally been served," the mayor said. "There are a lot of people in town who are going to see this as closure to some degree, and that's a good thing." 

Bin Laden was leader of al Qaeda, the terrorist network behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which killed approximately 3,000 people, many of them from the area.

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Among those killed were 18 Basking Ridge residents:

  • David Otey Campbell, 51
  • Stephen P. Dimino, 48
  • John W. Farrell, 41
  • Louis V. Fersini, 38
  • Michael Bradley Finnegan, 37
  • Christopher Hugh Forsythe, 44
  • Steven Gregory Genovese, 37
  • Robert John Halligan, 59
  • Kevin James Hannaford, 32
  • John Clinton Hartz, 64
  • Matthew T. McDermott, 34
  • Stacey S. McGowan, 38
  • Ludwig John Picarro, 44
  • Stephen E. Poulos, 45
  • Timothy P. Soulas, 35
  • Craig William Staub, 30
  • William R. Tieste, 54
  • Frank T. Wisniewski, 54

Last fall, St. James Roman Catholic Church opened a small prayer sanctuary at the church to provide a place to reflect upon and commemorate the township's many victims. The small prayer room, where names of the victims are posted along with a cross made from iron from the World Trade Center, was quiet late on Monday morning.

Shortly after the World Trade Center attack, township residents held a candlelight vigil in downtown Basking Ridge—and a photo of that gathering is placed on the wall in the main meeting room at the township municipal building.

Township Committeeman John Carpenter, a township native, said he agreed with Malay that the death of bin Laden was a "bittersweet" occasion. "I am excited that we finally have gotten that swine, but at the same time, I think of the people who lost their lives in 9/11." He also commended those who "stepped up for the past 10 years" to combat terrorism and search for bin Laden overseas.

Nevertheless, Carpenter said that, for him, the day has somewhat of a "somber" feel, mixed with gratitude for the troops, more similar to Memorial Day than a celebration.

Malay said he understands that those who suffered will never overcome the loss of a husband, a father, a brother, or other close loved one. "You have to hope and pray that this is a little bit of solace for those people."

However, the mayor noted he found it disturbing that the al Qaeda leader had been living in urban Islamabad, right next to a hospital. He expressed scepticism that Pakistan's intelligence sources were unaware of his whereabouts. "It's a very complicated game," he said of the relationship of the U.S. with allies in the region.

Malay also expressed hopes for the safety of U.S. troops in the area who might be facing retaliation.

On a larger scale, Gov. Chris Christie also issued a statement that commended the president for achieving a longstanding U.S. goal. At the same time, the governor also recalled the impact of the 9/11 attack on New Jersey residents.

"I want to commend President Obama's Administration for its commitment and dedication to finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice," Gov. Chris Christie said in a statement late Sunday night.

"As the former U.S. Attorney and now Governor of New Jersey, I speak for all the families of this state who have courageously endured the unspeakable and devastating consequences of terrorism. There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered. While our fight against terrorism continues, Osama bin Laden's reign of terror has come to an end, sending a clear signal that even in the face of immeasurable horror, democracy and freedom continue to prevail."

 U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th district) added a statement as well:

“Tonight we learned that the man who killed so many of our friends, neighbors and countrymen in 2011 – Osama bin Laden - has been brought to justice.

“While we welcome this news with great satisfaction, this is not a moment of victory.  U.S. forces have eliminated the head of a dangerous global terrorist network but al Qaeda and its affiliates remain a lethal threat to America and Americans everywhere.     

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated personnel of our military and intelligence communities.  It is their skill, perseverance and determination that brought us to this day.   And in the weeks and months ahead, we will be relying on these same men and women to continue to fight our fight in the Global War on Terror. 

“This should be a lesson to violent international extremists who tonight are contemplating ways to harm the United States and its allies: no matter how long it takes, you will be brought to justice.”


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