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Metro Detroiters Speak Out About Osama bin Laden's Death

DETROIT (WWJ) - It happened on the other side of the world, the new of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's death has hit close to home for many in Metro Detroit.

WWJ spoke Monday with a West Bloomfield mother whose son was killed in Iraq in 200. June Harting says the news of bin Laden's death is the sound of justice being served. 

 Harting said if her son Jay were alive today he'd be speaking out about it.

"He would say go on and use diplomacy wherever possible. But, if you can't use diplomacy, defend the weak with arms," Harting said.

Harting says the day of bin Laden's death is of great importance to her family because her grandson 6th birthday was May 1st -- and he was born just day's after her son was killed.  

Skip Bushart of Waterford also lost his son in Iraq. Bushart said this death is the beginning of the take down of this terrorist group.

"Well, I don't think it will ever end, but I think it's a very good start, shall we say, to have him taken out. You know, he was the big moral booster for the al-Qaida and the Taliban, and hopefully this will put a stop or at least slow down the operations," Bushard said.

"I thought it's great -- about time. And too bad it took so long," he said.

WWJ spoke with Patrick Anderson from the Anderson Economic Group in Lansing was in the World Trade Center on 9/11/01 when the first plane hit.

"I was able to escape just a few seconds before the second plane hit and, fortunately, got under a garbage truck before all the... debris and the jet fuel came down," he said.

Anderson said he never thought Bin Laden would face a courtroom for his crimes-- and said there is justice in knowing that he is no longer here.

"I have to say, I don't get great joy out of someone's death, but I do feel a great deal of satisfaction that American's stayed the course for ten solid years until we finally got this guy," Anderson said.

WWJ wants to hear what you think. Share your comments below. You can also call (248) 455-7230 to leave a voicemail with our newsroom. Your comments may be used on-air.

Following are some of the comments that came in Monday morning:

"A great feather in the cap of the American people."

"I would love to see the pictures of bin Laden's body.

"Amazing it took 'em that long; that hard of a fight to get one man."

"One minute they kill 'em, two hours later he's buried. I think it's just to get our attention away from other things that are going on right now."

"Thank God... God bless America."

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