Elation and Skepticism Mark Local Reactions to bin Laden's Death

A great day for America. A day long overdue. A day for closure.

Chicago Heights and Homewood veterans voiced a range of views Monday upon learning that Osama bin Laden had been found and killed.

Frank Perez, executive director of the Chicago Heights mayor's office, served in Afghanistan for nine months in 2003. He called bin Laden's death is step in the right direction.

"I think this is a great day for the United States," said Perez, who was a sergeant in the 300th Human Resources Company, an Army Reserve unit based in Homewood. "Bin Laden was the No. 1 most wanted terrorist. He changed our daily lives from how we travel to our economy after 9/11. We all know he was the mastermind behind 9/11."

Art Wiggins, who was once in the Army Reserve as a helicopter mechanic, said he was surprised it took so long for the U.S. to find bin Laden.

"I think we should have found the guy a long time ago," Wiggins said, adding he doesn't think his death will change much. "People that think we're coming out of the Middle East are mistaken. We're not coming out of the Middle East."

Even more skeptical than Wiggins was Luis Cadena, who did two tours in Iraq, working on tanks, cranes and big rigs.

"It's still hard to believe without a lot of proof," Cadena said. "I'm not one to pry when it comes to the personal lives of sports figures or movie stars like most Americans. ...  Everyone wants every little detail of their unimportant lives, yet no one's asking for more proof of the man [that] had thousands killed. I'd like to know more but most likely will not get [to] anytime soon."

Marine Corp Staff Sgt. Jahir Garcia, who works in the Chicago Heights recruiting office, was more optimistic, agreeing with Perez.

"I served in Iraq for seven months in 2004," Garcia said. "It's great that our brothers in arms are doing their jobs.

"Now the victims of 9/11 can have some closure."

Additional reporting by Patch photojournalist Mary Compton.