Updated: Dwyer, Clark Issue Statements on bin Laden Death

Update:

State Rep. Jim Dwyer, who represents Reading's precincts 2,3 and 5, today issued a statement about the death of Osama Bin Laden through his Facebook page.

"Congratulations to our men and women of our armed forces for their perseverance and tenacious efforts in bringing mass murderer Osama bin Laden to justice," Jones said. "We must continue to support our troops in the fight against terrorism. We Americans can accomplish anything, as a nation, when we stand together. God Bless the victims of 9/11, our troops, and God bless the United States of America.'

State Sen. Katherine Clark, who represents all of Reading, added this:

“Today has brought a long awaited justice and ended Bin Laden’s reign of terror. My thoughts are with the victims of 9/11 and their  families and loved ones. I am sure this day is one of mixed emotions, but I hope this is a step towards healing. I am very grateful and proud of all who have served in the armed forces since 9/11, and I thank them for the sacrifices they and their families have made to protect our country.”

State Rep. Brad Jones, who represents Reading districts 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8, declined to comment.

On a tangential note, Malden Patch that Logan Airport has not raised the threat level at the facility, but has activated additional State Police and TSA personnel as a precaution.

Original Article:

While Boston residents late last night to celebrate President Obama’s announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been killed, members of the Reading community expressed a more muted reaction.

Reading Fire Captain Paul Guarino said he thought that Bin Laden’s death would have little effect on the United States’ need to maintain its vigilance against global terrorism. Guarino, one of many Reading firefighters who attended funerals of emergency responders who died in the aftermath of the attacks, said that the Al Qaeda leader had faded to the status of “figurehead” in recent years.

Not far away at , Stoneham residents Maria and John Luti said that they were glad that Bin Laden had been killed rather than captured during the U.S. raid of his compound in Pakistan.

“We don’t need a trial,” John Luti said. “He’s made it clear he was responsible.”

Maria added that she thought that taking Bin Laden alive and putting him through a court process would be a “waste of time, money and aggravation,” and could also upset the families of the victims of the terror attacks.

On the other side of the restaurant, Reading Resident Dan Merlin said that he hoped the announcement would help those touched by the tragedy find closure, but that it could also bring up painful memories.

“It’s probably a bittersweet thing,” he said. 

He said he believed the event probably boosted the morale of American servicemen, and that the success—nearly 10 years after his infamous September 11 terrorist attacks—showed that the U.S. didn’t give up in tracking down Bin Laden.