As the world reacts to the news of the death of Osama bin Laden, we would like to take a minute to remember the Veronans killed in the 9/11 attack, William J. Erwin and Stephen L. Roach, as well as Congregation Beth Ahm member Howard Kestenbaum.
Verona Town Council member Jay Sniakowski, who knew many of the World Trade Center victims, shared these thoughts:
My wife and I woke up this morning to a text from my nephew who is a Fordham University student at 1 a.m. last night saying he was at Ground Zero thinking about my friends. Having no idea what he was talking about I put on the TV to see the news. Mixed emotions to say the least. Every day walking through Ground Zero on my way to work is difficult and brings me a sad feeling. Obviously today even more so, the euphoria of this savage being brought to justice by our great military and special forces makes me proud but the memory of my friends and co-workers at Cantor and their senseless murder is like a pit in my stomach today and it’s very emotional. Each anniversary you’re sort of prepared to see the images and stories of that day but this was sprung on me out of left field and seems surreal. I’m pleased that he was brought to justice but there is a long road ahead in battling Islamic terrorism, I hope that today can bring some comfort to the friends and families of the thousands that were killed on that day but I know it’s not that easy. It’s more of emotional day than I would have ever thought.
