Community Corner

Wheaton American Legion Reacts to bin Laden's Death

Post members say it was a long time coming.

While members and friends at American Legion Post 268 were all talking about the news of Osama bin Laden’s death, it certainly wasn’t the scene at the White House yesterday evening.

“We’re all mostly like this,” Blackie Sarkisian said, making a clapping motion with his hands. “For what he caused in this country, he met his demise justly.”

Another visitor to the Legion, when asked about his reaction to bin Laden’s death, simply grinned.

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The American Legion Post in Wheaton is on Fern Street, up the hill from . The veterans, sitting at the bar and enjoying a sub sandwich lunch, had mostly served in Vietnam and World War II.

Harry Wachter, the Sons of American Legion commander, a group that represents family members of those who served, said even with a higher security alert, the fear of reprisals will not keep him from living his life. However, he was disappointed that the death of bin Laden had taken almost 10 years.

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“I think it’s great that he’s dead, but it took too long.” Wachter said.

Leroy “Pistol Pete” Lone, commander of the post, agreed.

“I feel they should have had him long ago,” Lone said. “It caused more chaos.”

Lone, who served in Germany, said while the army’s medical technology had saved many wounded soliders' lives, the trauma of fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq would still remain.

“The damage has already been done. We could have avoided the trauma of families,” he said.

On what bin Laden’s death means for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Lone said it was too early to say.

“Time will tell,” he said.


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