Where were you ...?

This has become a popular question regarding major world events -- man walking on the moon, the Kennedy assassination, the Challenger explosion, the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, etc.  Last night, one more was added to the mix -- Where were you when you found out Osama Bin Laden was dead?

I was packing up merch after a fantastic sold out Stephen Kellogg solo show at the Flying Mango in Des Moines on Sunday evening.  As I was counting tshirts and CDs, Jessica (Stephen's tour manager) approached us and said, "Our bus driver just told me American forces have killed Bin Laden. The President is about to speak."  I really didn't have time to dwell on this during my shop-closing duties, as I just wanted to get done and get on the road.

Fortunately, I had a 2.5-hour late night drive to contemplate the news.  While everyone I know probably called and texted friends/family or leaped onto their favorite social media network, I was completely alone. I listened to a few different news reports -- on from FOX and one from BBC.  (There wasn't a whole lot of difference in the two broadcasts, in case you're wondering.)  The main points remained the same, and they addressed some things I was already thinking.

-  The daughter of a 9/11 victim said she did not feel celebratory.  Instead, she was remembering her mother, and feeling as though a little bit of justice had been done.

-  A gentleman who is part of a 9/11 survivors group said pretty much the same thing.  Something along the lines of, "we're relieved to know he's gone and can no longer cause pain to families."

-  Someone with the Rand Corporation stated this is not the end of terrorism, and, in fact, our threat level may be heightened in the near future. 

I still haven't completely decided how I feel about the murder of Osama Bin Laden. 

Yes, he killed thousands of people without any mercy or pause.  Yes, he was the mastermind behind an event that completely transformed our nation and my perception of the world.  Indeed, the world feels a little safer with him out of the equation.

At the same time, it doesn't feel right to celebrate anyone's death.  And I am frightened at the repercussions this could have for our military and our country. Bin Laden may be dead, but he had many ardent supporters.  They will undoubtedly want revenge.

I don't want anyone telling me how I should feel either.  Everyone has their own way of reacting.  You won't find me dancing in the streets or having a champagne toast over this, but I thank our military and our President for their efforts in fighting this war on terror. Their diligence and service has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

God bless America.