By Jamie Thompson
FireRescue1 Senior Editor
For the relatives of the 343 firefighters killed in the 9/11 attacks, it was the news they had been waiting nearly 10 years for — Osama bin Laden was dead.
The mastermind behind the attacks on September 11, 2001, was killed in a raid by U.S. special forces on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.
When the news broke Sunday, it triggered a range of emotions in families of the fallen firefighters, many of whom are still struggling to come to terms with the deaths of their loved ones who responded to the World Trade Center after the attacks.
The mother of Ken Marino, who was a member of Rescue 1 — among the first crews to arrive at the World Trade Center on 9/11 — said she was “surprised and relieved” at the news bin Laden was dead.
“I’m proud the president accomplished what he said he was going to accomplish and I’m glad that they got him and I’m glad that they buried him at sea so they can’t make a martyr out of him,” Mary Ann Marino told The Long Beach Patch.
Always hopeful
Marilyn Hess, the mother of FDNY Firefighter Tommy Gambino Jr., said she always remained hopeful bin Laden would be caught.
When the news came through of bin Laden’s death, she told The Florida Times-Union that she burst out crying.
“I’m thrilled that they finally got him, but in a sense it doesn’t do anything for me and all our families and everybody who died because of him. He’s a murderer,” she said, adding that she has grieved daily since the death of Firefighter Gambino Jr.
“You wake up every morning and your son is right there in front of you. I look at his picture and say, ‘Good morning, Tommy,’” she said. “He never, ever is far away from me.”
For Elizabeth Berry, whose brother Fire Capt. William F. Burke Jr. was killed when the second of the World Trade Center towers collapsed, the news did not bring any sense of joy.
“For me, there’s not a sense of glee and rejoicing,” she told The Post-Standard. “In this country, in this world, whenever something like this happens, there’s always a reaction.
“We still have service members who are out there putting their lives on the line. Our country is still being threatened.”
FDNY Firefighter Andrew Sullivan, who led his crew to safety from Tower 1 of the World Trade Center, told KTAR.com the news bin Laden was dead was “bittersweet.”
“I’m overcome with joy at the bravery and courage of our military and intelligence community,” Firefighter Sullivan said. “Yet, at the same time, it brings me back to that sunny morning as I watched the city that I love burn to the ground.
“Even though I consider the death of bin Laden to be a symbolic victory, I do believe that it will send a message to those who wish our destruction.”
Meanwhile, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said in a statement, “The nation’s firefighters and paramedics are grateful to President Obama, our intelligence agencies and the U.S. military forces, including the Navy SEALS who carried out the mission, for providing some peace to the families of those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“We will always remember the 343 members of the FDNY who lost their lives responding that day and continue to think of and assist those still suffering the incredible health effects from working at Ground Zero and the Pentagon.
“We will never forget their sacrifice. This is a proud moment for America.”