Local Leaders, Residents React to News of Osama bin Laden's Death

As news of Osama bin Laden's death permeated through the Dexter community early Monday morning, local residents and elected officials hailed the efforts of the U.S. military.

"My initial thought when I heard the news was, 'this is a great thing,'"  said Miles Woodward, a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve and parishioner at Dexter United Methodist Church . "I am very proud to hear of the success that came from the sacrafices people all over the world put into our military operations. Being a Navy reservist, I feel proud to be part of the bigger picture of what's going on."

However, Woodward said he has mixed feelings about the death of bin Laden and struggles with sadness knowing that another human being had to die.

"Despite all the havoc that bin Laden caused, I still regret that someone else had to die," he said.

Bin Laden was the self-professed mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. -- the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

President Obama confirmed that bin Laden was killed Sunday in a strike in Pakistan, almost 10 years after the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 civilians on American soil.

State Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township) said bin Laden's death is "a  good day for freedom."

"What happend on 9/11 was one of the worst tragedies for America. We finally caught the architect of that horrible day and I commend our military for all that they've done since 9/11 to lead to the capture and killing of bin Laden and for all that they've done as the voice of freedom," he said.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-District 7, said the country owes a huge debt of gratitude to the members of the military and intelligence communities.

"I am satisfied that justice was accomplished by the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of American forces.  The terrorism bin Laden and his al-Qaeda associates perpetrated against the American people on 9/11 was pure evil.  Justice is not always as quick as we wish, but it is certain," Walberg said.

Scio Township trustee Christine Green, who heard about bin Laden's death upon returning from a weekend vacation on Monday, said she hopes the nation will pause to remember members of the military who sacraficed their lives in the name of freedom.

"It is my great hope that we will use this event as an opportunity to unify as a nation, to celebrate our common values, and to be thankful for the freedom we have to express them," she said.

Dexter resident Rhonda Haines echoed Green's thoughts.

"I hope this will help in the healing process for the families of the 9/11 victims and send a message to Al Qaeda that anyone who commits crimes against the United States will pay for their deeds," Haines said.

Editor's note: Christy Vander Haagen contributed to this article.