The Death of Osama bin Laden: Victory and Vigilance 10 Years After

Osama bin Laden is dead. There is no other way of stating the obvious. Late Sunday evening broadcasters were abuzz with the news that American’s have been waiting to hear for nearly ten years.

While often some news stories of significance begin with “last evening while asleep in the relative safety of our homes. . .” this was not to be the case as history began to unfold before our very eyes Sunday with President Obama’s late evening pronouncement that OBL had been brought down at his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. My intuition was correct and we now know it was the work of U.S. Navy Seal Team Six (specifically tasked for counter-terrorist operations), that brought a bin Laden chapter to a close. Remarkably however, the end of the hunt for bin Laden was to unfold while many of us Forsythians attended church under sunny skies. Yet during this moment of peace and contentment as we prayed; unbeknownst to us an “Alert Bravo” -- the highest state of U.S. security readiness was quietly issued to all active duty U.S. military and government personnel and assets around the world. Vastly different than our colored threat assessment system we’ve all become accustomed to; very rarely does an Alert Bravo of this magnitude happen, the aftermath of 9/11 being one of the few exceptions. Little if no reason is ever given, but the orders and its intent are clearly understood--something major is about to happen and “vigilance” becomes the operating word of the day. This vigilance quietly went into effect nearly a full 12 hours before President Obama would address the nation and the world, and as we now know for a very good reason.

Almost 10 years ago, I like many Forsythians were just arriving to work when word of the first plane strike on the World Trade Center was coming across the news wires. We were all polarized and stunned with disbelief. Later this would turn to abject shock as the events of the day unfolded with frightening clarity. As we witnessed the World Trade Centers come tumbling down, the equally devastating attack on the Pentagon and the subsequent crash at Shanksville, PA; our schools went into lock-down and nearly all public facilities were closed. In an unprecedented move all civil aviation was grounded; all inbound international flights were diverted elsewhere as landing rights into the U.S. were denied. "How many more flying bombs were out there, what next," we asked? Uncertainty was the order of the day on 9/11, and for this very reason the airspace above our nation now belonged to the U.S. military-- without prejudice.

Not fully understating the confusion of the day and keeping safety in the forefront of thoughts, many employers dismissed their employees sending them home and with hope, the safety of their families. Buford Dam Road itself was closed as armed units of Forsyth County Sherriff’s Department and U.S. Park Service sealed off Buford Dam of all vehicular and water borne traffic. With events such as 9/11 it’s not always the obvious that catches your attention.  I remember vividly a neighbor so incredibly incensed and obviously inconvenienced by the closing of the Mall of Georgia that day; it meant a unique shopping opportunity with her daughter was missed. This was indeed a confusing time for all us all. But with the closing of Buford Dam and the Mall of Georgia on that fateful day, clearly we understood a new expression that has become part of our lexicon, albeit painful--Buford Dam, the Mall of Georgia, as well as schools, universities and all other large public gathering areas were now considered “targets of opportunity”.  Why was this happening to us--what would become of us?

In the later part of 2001, President Bush appointed James Nicholson the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. While presenting his diplomatic credentials in audience with Pope John Paul II days immediately following 9/11; Ambassador Nicholson recalls how the Pope took him aside afterward and with the simple eloquence he was known for, John Paul II stated: "You must stop this man and these people who kill in the name of God."

If modern history bears repeating, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto reacted with stern indifference to his subordinates who celebrated with cause the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” Ostensibly, Osama bin Laden and his far reaching al-Qaida network once again awoke a sleeping giant on 9/11 and we have acted with not terrible but steadfast and deliberate resolve for almost 10 years. His ultimate demise came on Sunday from a near perfect surgical operation we may never fully know the details of, and nor should we; the result of which is clearly understood the world over. As an epitaph, the members of U.S. Navy Seal Team Six will likely be honored in the only way such a covert group can be: in private with nobody but themselves and their commanders in the know. They must carry on in silence--they know our gratitude.

Today we celebrate a proud victory for us all, we have vindication and closure. Yes Osama bin Laden, the most hunted and reviled terrorist of our times is dead. We have done that, quietly and efficiently. But as we celebrate this news, as we seek solace in our faith, as the families of the 9/11 victims can begin to find the closure they have so needed for many years; let us not forget the lessons of history once learned--for our victory today must remain our vigilance tomorrow. Our world and our lives have changed forever.