Reacting to death of Osama bin Laden

Updated at 1:24 a.m. ET

People who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks were emotional upon learning the news that terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden had been killed.

Abigail Carter, of Seattle, who lost her husband Arron Dack at the World Trade Center in New York City, said she was having dinner with friends when she was told by her daughter, who was studying upstairs with friends and heard the news online.

"I felt my face flush. I feel like I should be running around the room, like 'Ding Dong the witch is dead.' But that's not my first impulse. To me, even though they've killed bin Laden, I think of al-Qaeda like the policeman in The Terminator movie. Even though the Terminator blasts him apart, he's all made of metal and the pieces reform. OK, bin Laden's dead, but al-Qaeda is all these little cells that will gather back together. So his death doesn't make a ton of difference. I don't even know if he was leading them. I thought of him as running from cave to cave."

Allison Crowther of Nyack, N.Y., whose 24-year-old son Welles Crowther was killed at the World Trade Center, had fallen asleep on the couch after a long day of caring for her grandchildren.

She awoke suddenly to see the news on television, and went to find her husband, who asked: "Why are you crying?" I said, "Osama bin Laden's dead!''

"I'm so overwhelmed. What a relief. I've thought of this every day. I've wondered when this was going to happen -- 'When are we gonna catch this guy?' And now they find him living in a mansion? God bless these people that got him. God bless Obama for going in.'"

"I'm so happy, not that this is the end of this, because this is a big network of people trying to do us harm. But thank God we went in -- we can't lose ourselves and our sense of what's right.''

Echoing words spoken by many upon learning the news, Crowther said: "Justice has been done."

Updated at 1 a.m. ET

Former president Bill Clinton, who was in office during the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, issued a statement. "I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaeda attacks."

"This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaeda's other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children."

From House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio:

"This is great news for the security of the American people and a victory in our continued fight against al-Qaeda and radical extremism around the world. ... We continue to face a complex and evolving terrorist threat, and it is important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to confront and defeat the terrorist enemy and protect the American people.

Updated at 12:11 a.m. ET

Randell Larsen, a homeland security expert and former chairman of military strategy and operations at the National War College, is among the specialists who warn that the threat of terrorism is not over just because bin Laden is dead.

This is "a great moment for America, and in particular, justice for the families of 9/11, but unfortunately this is not the equivalent of V-E or V-J Day. The threat continues, and in the short term, may even increase."

Updated at 12:06 a.m. ET

Steve Hadley, national security adviser to President George W. Bush, said the death of Osama bin Laden "is a great day for America."

"This is an effort that has been ongoing for 10 years. It's an effort that President Bush stepped up a couple of times.

"It's taken a long time to put together the intelligence case, and obviously they got a break."

Hadley said bin Laden "was hiding in plain sight in a built-up area not far from Islamabad." He warned that there's "always the risk" of some sort of retaliation against the United States.

"This is obviously a big blow to al-Qaeda," Hadley said. "This man had almost mythical standing. It's going to be an enormous morale blow to al-Qaeda."

Updated at 12:02 a.m. ET

Some reaction from GOP presidential hopefuls:

"This is terrific news for freedom and justice," said former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. "Let history show that the perseverance of the U.S. military and the American people never wavered. America will never shrink from the fight and ultimately those who seek to harm us face only defeat. Today, justice is done, but the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is not yet over."

"This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist," said former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

More from GOP presidential hopefuls:

Rep. Michele Bachmann, who is also a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said on her Twitter account: "A time to express our gratitude to the U.S. military for taking out Osama bin Laden."

Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, also tweeted:
"Thank you, American men and women in uniform. You are America's finest and we are all so proud. Thank you for fighting against terrorism."

Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, posted on his Facebook page: "This is extraordinary news for all freedom loving people, and I commend all those involved for this historic triumph...while this is a very significant objective that cannot be minimized, the threat from Jihadism does not die with Bin Laden. As we were vigilant in taking him out we need to demonstrate we will continue to be vigilant until the enemy has been subdued."

Updated at 11:59 p.m. ET

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement:

I am overjoyed that we finally got the world's top terrorist. The world is a better and more just place now that Osama bin Laden is no longer in it. I hope the families of the victims of the September 11th attacks will sleep easier tonight and every night hence knowing that justice has been done. I commend the President and his team, as well as our men and women in uniform and our intelligence professionals, for this superb achievement.

But while we take heart in the news that Osama bin Laden is dead, we must be mindful that al-Qaeda and its terrorist allies are still lethal and determined enemies, and we must remain vigilant to defeat them.

Updated 11:55 p.m. ET

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said:

Tonight, we've learned that justice has been done. The man with the blood of more than 3,000 Americans on his hands, the man who forced us to begin to think the unthinkable - is now dead.

Families who lost loved ones at the hands of bin Laden and his terrorist organization have grieved for far too long and this sends a signal that America will not tolerate terrorism in any form. The men and women of our armed forces and intelligence community have fought valiantly for the last decade and this is a major victory and testament to their dedication. I commend President Obama who has followed the vigilance of President Bush in bringing bin Laden to justice. While this is no doubt a major event in our battle against terrorism, we will not relent in our fight against terror and our efforts to keep America safe and secure.

Reaction is coming in from all quarters on President Obama's announcement that Osama bin Laden was killed:

CNN read a message from former president George W. Bush:

"This momentous achievement marks a victory for America for people who seek peace around the world and for all those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, 2011. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: no matter how long it takes, justice will be done."

(Contributing: Richard Wolf, Jackie Kucinich, Mimi Hall and Rick Hampson)

See photos of: George W. Bush

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