war on terror

By now, many of you know that Osama bin Laden was killed by US troops in Pakistan recently.  As the news broke last night, I briefly considered getting Alex out of bed so that he could watch the President speak.  It seemed like an important event, on the same level as the fall of the Berlin wall, or the end of a major war.

But, then, I realized two things.

First, the evening's events would have little impact on Alex.  He was just barely six months old on 9/11/01.  We have been fighting the war on terror for longer than he can remember.  He doesn't recall the fear that filled the days surrounding the fall of the Twin Towers.  He can't remember the unity that encompassed America in those days: the ribbons adorning every antennae, the flags hanging from every doorway, the banners signed in malls across America, the sobs of grown adults, the fear of world leaders. 

Yet, there was another reason I didn't wake my son.  Osama is supposedly dead.  He was buried at sea.  (Personally, I would be more likely to fully embrace the news of his death if they had a body.)  Yet, his minions abound.   How many members of bin Laden's terrorist network will look to avenge their martyr's death?  Is the War on Terror really over?  I think not. 

Please, I beg the leaders of this country, do not drop your guard.  Do not ease up on travel restrictions, on airport security, on courthouse procedures.  Terrorists are still out there.  The threat comes from various angles.  We know that there are groups such as al Qaeda that seek to harm us, though their leader is no more. Hear the plea of this one mother: please continue to work to keep us safe.  Do not let your guard fall.