Crime & Safety
Video: Melrosians React to Bin Laden's Death
Mayor Dolan, Fire Chief O'Brien and others in Melrose express surprise and relief at the news.
People in downtown Melrose reacted to the news of Osama bin Laden's death with a mixture of surprise and relief, and reflected--nearly 10 years later--on the events of September 11, 2001.
In this video, people in Melrose share their thoughts on this momentous and historic day: James Riley of Malden; Doug Wilson of Melrose; Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan; Linda Buttimer of Melrose; and John Taglieri.
Around town, others reacted similarly, though many people's feelings of relief were tempered by forces of terrorism still at large. Bob Driscoll, chairman of the Melrose Veterans Advisory Board and a major in the Air Force Reserves in a unit based out of Westover Air Reserve Base, explained his own mixed feelings.
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"My reaction is that it is bittersweet. It's symbolic that we were able to rid the earth of Osama bin Laden, but unfortunately, people like him are still out there," Driscoll said. "We got him. It's symbolic. But there will be people like him who will continue to try and hurt innocent people around the world."
Melrose Fire Chief John O'Brien expressed gratitude toward the U.S. military personnel who found bin Laden.
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"We're so proud of the military who helped avenge the deaths of all the firefighters and police officers on 9/11. I think it sends a message to the world: We'll hunt you down and we'll find you. Those guys deserve so much credit," O'Brien said.
"Hoepfully, this will bring some peace and closure to the surviors of the victims of 9/11."
Kate House contributed to this report.
