Updated: New Milford Reacts to Bin Laden Death

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

This September will mark a decade since the devastating terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001. Most people remember where they were and what they were doing the moment they found out about the first plane flying into the World Trade Center.

"Everyone remembers where they were when the 9/11 attacks occurred and they will remember where they were when the news of Bin Laden’s death was reported," said NMPD Chief Frank Papapietro. "If the world learns one lesson here it is that the resolve of the American people should never be tested."

"I am happy that the search for Osama Bin Laden has ended," said Mayor Ann Subrizi. "I hope his death causes his family the kind of pain that our 9/11 families have had to live with for almost a decade--I hope his death causes his terror organization to fall apart."

"This is a great victory for the United States of America," said Alan Silverman, New Milford Fire Official/Marshal and former NMFD chief. "The 343 firefighters that were lost from the FDNY gave the supreme sacrifice to save thousands from this brutal attack."  

New Milford lost one of its own during the attack on the World Trade Center. Stephen Dorf, 39, was a maintenance and communication worker with Euro Brokers/Maxcor Financial Group on the 84th floor of 2 WTC. The borough created a memorial for Dorf, known as the Dorf Memorial Grove, at the north end of Borough Hall.

Borough Administrator Christine Demiris said, "Dorf's family has opted out of remembrances and has asked the borough to honor their decision to maintain a low profile."

Borough resident Jimmy Drake had to sleep on Long Island on 9/11 since he was unable to make his way back to New Jersey. His wife was forced to head up to Washington Heights and take a jitney bus across the bridge to make it home that day.

"My sister was the soot filled lady you may have seen on CNN getting on a bus at Ground Zero," said Drake. His sister was evacuated to Staten Island, Drake said, where emergency officials lost track of her for 24 hours. Drake said she suffers from agoraphobia and even 10 years later, leaves her home "maybe once a year."

"As far as Bin Laden being dead,  much as I love America and still miss so many people whom I had done business with at the WTC, I just can't revel in a death," said Drake. "I would have rather he be put on trial and executed according to law."

Papapietro said the type of mission that was carried out by Navy Seals against Bin Laden,"was the culmination of years of intelligence gathering." He said the success of the mission should not lure Americans into a false sense of security. 

"The head of the snake is gone but there are still those who remain who wish to destroy us," said Papapietro. "Law enforcement will remain vigilant for possible reprisals in the coming months and will remain alert going forward as this state of heightened alert is the new normal."  

Subrizi said that in the past, wars were marked with clear beginnings and endings.

"Unfortunately, the death of OBL does not signal the end of the War on Terror," Subrizi said. "I wish this was the type of war with a clear beginning and I wish this was the end.  I am afraid that the War on Terror is ongoing and something we will deal with for a long time to come (or maybe forever)."

"We must still keep our guard up because we as Americans know there are others that want us to lose our freedom," said Silverman. "At least there is some closure for the famillies that lost love ones on that sunny September morning."

"I am very happy about the news, it has been long over due," said Renee Tufaro, whose son is currently serving in Afghanistan, in a post on Patch. "My son is in Afghanistan now and we would all love for the troops to be able to come home sooner than they are supposed to."

Tufaro said on 9/11 her husband, James Tufaro Sr., who is a volunteer firefighter in New Milford, was on standby at the George Washington Bridge. She said her son, James Tufaro Jr., who is currently in Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy, was 11 at the time and said, "when I am old enough I am going to help get him for this."

"Now we have to bring our troops home," said Tufaro. "God Bless America and our troops."

"I am proud of our brave men, including one New Milford Police Officer [Chris Vinci], and the women who serve in the United States and throughout the world," Subrizi said.

"As a nation we will never forget 9/11/01," Silverman said. "I will never forget because I am reminded every time I see my son Scott who is in the FDNY."  

Papapietro also issued this statement: 

"God bless the team who executed this mission, the thousands of troops who have served in this effort and the intelligence community who has prevented countless new attacks on our soil.  God bless our law enforcement officers, Federal, State, County and Municipal as we have found ourselves to be the front line against terrorism on the home front.  God bless the 9/11 victims and their families who are left with their private suffering.  Finally, God bless those troops who didn’t come home, those who came home wounded, and their families.  Hopefully there may be some closure in their lives although total peace for them will be forever elusive."