Macomb Residents Express Relief, Uncertainty Over Bin Laden Death

Today's headlines contained one message: Osama bin Laden is dead.

The killing of bin Laden was the shot heard around the world, as political pundits, military personnel and civilians absorbed the news and attempted to sort out their own feelings on the matter.

Macomb Patch headed out into the community to find out what the death of this high-profile individual meant to Macomb Township residents.

While many considered the news a positive step to halt terrorism, others could not help but question his swift burial at sea and what the death would really mean for the state of terrorism in the long term.

A Service Family

Tom and Penny Orban of Macomb Township were very proud when their son, Patrick McAvoy, now 30, enlisted in the Army in 2001 and was assigned to serve with the military police.

“What happened on 9-11 was a driving force behind his joining, he was really upset by that and wanted to do something,” Penny Orban said. 

McAvoy, who now resides in Arizona, served four years of active duty, including two in Iraq, and will complete his reservist commitment this summer.

The news of bin Laden’s death was welcomed at the Orban household but both parents shared their concerns about the decision to bury the terrorist leader at sea within 24 hours.

“I’m having a hard time with that," Penny Orban said. "Why would they bury him at sea so quick like that? What about an autopsy and all that stuff? I’m just skeptical now. I’d like to have seen his dead body and I’m not a morbid person but our government has lied to us before.”

Tom Orban noted that the talk around his office today was about how the reason being given for the burial was Islamic law and said most of his coworkers considered that reason "ridiculous."

“We just killed him, which I’m sure there was a law against in Islam, so why would we have to honor that in any way,” Tom Orban said. “Do you think he was honoring the religious beliefs of the thousands of people he’s killed?”

The couple said they feel it’s a shame that a positive thing, ridding the world of bin Laden, will now be overshadowed by how they chose to dispose of his body.

“Now it’s going to be, 'What is this? Where’s the proof? Was this a publicity stunt by the President?'” Tom Orban said. “Is there going to be any really solid proof now?”

“And in my heart I really do hope this is closure for all the families who’ve lost loved ones too, but I do have to ask, all these years to find the guy and you get rid of him immediately?” Penny added.

A Veteran

Ken Minicuci of Macomb Township served in the Marine Corps from 1982 to 1986 and remains a proud supporter of the U.S. military today. The father of four said he would “absolutely”  back any of his children who decided to join the service and says he knew before he finished high school that he needed to join.

“I knew when I was in 10th grade that’s what I wanted to do and it was pure pride in my country,” Minicuci said.

He recalls being in a meeting in his boss's office at work when the horrific news of the Sept. 11 attacks was reported. In contrast to that shock, he said he was “elated” and felt the news was “just fantastic” when bin Laden’s death was reported on Sunday night.

“I think this will be huge boost to morale and a first step in many to come in the whole war against terror,” Minicuci said.

Civilians

"I know (that) he's gone, but the evil he leaves behind with his al Qaeda team is not gone," wrote Liz Wieczerza Iafrate on the Macomb Patch Facebook page Monday. 

Poster Jennifer Kleinsorge Szarejko agreed.

"While I'm happy that he is gone, he has left behind people trained to do his evil work," she said. "But I am happy for the people of 9/11 that they get 'some' closure out of this ... And the joy and happiness our troops must feel at this very moment!!! Good job Army, Airforce, Navy and Marines!!!"

Our Fallen Heroes

Lance Cpl. Anthony A. Dilisio, 20, died supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Dilisio, who served with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, NC, is remembered for his service with a brick laid in the Macomb Township Veterans Memorial.

Alex Knapp, 24, served as an Army police officer in Iraq. Knapp had his legs amputated above his knees from injuries sustained in March 2008 when an IED blew up the vehicle in which he was traveling. Knapp returned home, but suffered a fatal heart attack in October 2010.