The Death of bin Laden

The death of Bin Laden was necessary; it was justified; it is not something that should be celebrated in the streets. While his removal should have occurred many years ago, our government and her allies know that this will not end the war on terror. We must remain vigilant and decisive and strong. Sadly, the fight continues.

I saw with my own eyes when the hijacked airplanes, directed by Bin Laden and his lieutenants, flew into the World Trade Center and brought down the twin towers. I counseled at Ground Zero with the other first responders. I helped guide a downtown Manhattan congregation through some of its darkest days. I will never forget those experiences; the memories will never leave me. Yet the reality and the symbolism of today's event makes me feel confident that, in the end and inevitably, evil will never triumph.

Whatever our political views, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the military and intelligence community for their diligence, efforts, and ability. We owe a special debt to our special forces. And, despite the inherent disagreements and tensions with them, we need to thank the government and military of Pakistan for their cooperation, even when it was reluctant.

This is not a time to rejoice or to mourn, to relax or to overreach. It is a time to reflect, assess, and pray.

May this world find peace one day. May we all, at long last, be able to lay down our weapons of war and work to heal this fractured world.