Widow of September 11 Victim: 'Ridgewood Stands by Its Citizens'

On September 11, 2001, Kathy Simmons and her three children had their lives shaken by the deadliest terrorist attack in our nation's history. She lost her husband Bruce, a partner at an investment firm, but better known for his incredible dedication to his family and his community. On Monday morning she had to explain to her youngest child–a 5th grader–who Bin Laden was and how the world forever changed on that morning.

The elusive mastermind behind a revolution of violent attacks from disparate groups united behind an ideology of old-world Islam, was killed by a Navy SEAL team in a Pakistan compound on Sunday, the U.S. government says.

As a family, "We’ve gone through this for a long time now," Simmons said Monday in a telephone conversation. But the aftermath is still jarring.

"It does take you back to a lot of emotions that you haven’t had in a long time. We still miss him as a family."

Few could fault the mother of three for wanting revenge, but that's not what she and her children are about, she says. "Bin Laden was not in the forefront of my mind . . . I'm just proud they finally did find him and did what they set out to do."

Simmons said she was proud of the United States for keeping bringing Bin Laden to justice a priority, and said she'll remember the dedication of those who kept fighting.

"I feel for the families of the soldiers in the sense that we went over and accomplished what so many lost their lives trying to do. I think that’s so important in this for them.”

Her late husband Bruce, 41 when he perished, will always be remembered as a great soccer coach and a fantastic cook, she said. "People will laugh knowing that because that was Bruce all tied up in one."

Through incredible tragedy, Simmons credited the community of Ridgewood for its selflessness and generosity.

"So many people [have] voiced support and help" over the past decade, she said. "Ridgewood stands by its citizens. I can't say enough how the town has supported my family through a difficult time period."

"For God's sakes, if something bad is to happen, I'm glad I was living here with the people and support."

Citizens commend military

"I want to congratulate the military on a job well done," said Mayor Keith Killion, who served in the military. " I'm happy for the families in Ridgewood who finally got justice." Killion noted that there was a special commemoration on the tenth anniversary planned in Ridgewood for the citizens who perished on that fateful day.

Marine veteran Jesse Canella, who runs the non-profit organization Honor Vet to help veterans and families cope with war, called it a very moving day for Ridgewood. "We as a country have stood behind our commitment to bring justice to those responsible for the tragic events of September 11th, which we will never forget," he said.

"Ten years later, we are still very much engaged in combat operations overseas and we must also remember the sacrifices that have, and are continued to be made in defense of our freedom."

Others in Ridgewood lauded President Obama for his capture of the world's most wanted man.

"I think Obama did a wonderful job in executing his plan to determine the whereabouts and location of Osama," said George Davis of Ridgewood. "I think that he will continue to serve our country in the most dignified manner that he possibly can."

Dereck Williams, who works at MacMurphy’s Bar in Ridgewood and was a member of the U.S. Navy, said people were jovial when they saw the news on television sets.

"It was only a matter of time," Williams said. “It's just so weird that it took so long."

A stagehand in New York City on the production of Billy Elliot, Richard Fullum said he was at The Blarney Stone in Times Square when he heard the news.

"I did a double-take, it was just unbelievable. It's really happening," he said. Fullum said The Blarney Stone "was going crazy." He said that his commute back to Ridgewood featured an overwhelming outpouring of emotion. People, he noted, were cheering on the subways and at Secaucus Junction train station, crowding around the small bar.

"Knowing their tears," he said of victims’ families, "it just filled a void."

How Bin Laden was taken down

The president said that the U.S. had been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation. ... After a firefight, [soldiers] killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body," Obama said in an historic address to the nation.

“On nights like this one, we can say that justice has been done," the president added.

"I want to commend President Obama's Administration for its commitment and dedication to finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice," Governor Christie said late Sunday. "As the former U.S. Attorney and now Governor of New Jersey, I speak for all the families of this state who have courageously endured the unspeakable and devastating consequences of terrorism.

"There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered."

The president said that the U.S. had been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation. ... After a firefight, [soldiers] killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body," Obama said in an historic address to the nation.

“On nights like this one, we can say that justice has been done," the president added.

"I want to commend President Obama's Administration for its commitment and dedication to finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice," Governor Christie said late Sunday. "As the former U.S. Attorney and now Governor of New Jersey, I speak for all the families of this state who have courageously endured the unspeakable and devastating consequences of terrorism.

"There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered."

There was no immediate word about whether security into New York would be tightened Monday in the aftermath of bin Laden’s death. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told officers to be on alert despite not having information about any specific threat.

The Ridgewood victims

Ridgewood, with a significant presence in the finance industry, was harder hit than most Bergen County towns, losing twelve of its own.

Richard M. Blood Jr., an insurance broker at Aon Corporation, was 36 when he passed. Blood Jr., survived by his wife Kris and children Michael and Madeline, enjoyed the city so much, he was not daunted by the 1993 attack on the towers, according to a New York Times obituary on September 24, 2001.

Michael T. Carroll, who was with Ladder 3 in New York City for 16 years, was remembered as "great, great, great" by his friend Gerard Brenkert. Carroll, according to the New York Times obituary, coached his son Brendan in baseball and loved his wife, Nancy and daughter, Olivia. He was called "a great teacher" to younger firemen by a fellow fireman.

Friends and family remembered Daniel F. McGinley, Jr. 40, as a religious man, sports enthusiast and known for his rendition of "Danny Boy." McGinley Jr., a senior vice president at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, had five children with his wife Peggy.

James D. Munhall, a managing director at Sandler O'Neill & Partners, 45, was remembered as a family man. "He and my daughter renamed Saturdays 'Dad-urdays,' Susan Munhall said to the New York Times in his obituary, saying they'd dedicate the whole day together, grabbing bagels, reading the paper, talking Yankee baseball.

Thirty-eight year old Charlie Murphy, friends and family recalled, was known for his humor, but also for his generosity. Murphy, who also grew up in Ridgewood, "was absurdly generous," his sister Nancy told The Times.

Stephen B. Paterson, a 40-year-old bond trader, was remembered as a "straight ahead guy." Paterson, who is survived by his wife Lisa and twins, was known as a devoted family man, one whom Lisa said probably would have enjoyed being a stay-at-home dad.

Michael San Phillip, 55, was an executive with Sandler O'Neil & Partners, carving out a successful career in finance. But what he was most interested in was becoming a grandfather, according to an October 1 obituary in The Times. His oldest daughter was having a child and Phillip, known as "Captain Paddle" in Ridgewood, treasured the title of grandfather, which was expected by December. Phillip, sadly, was never able to realize that dream.

Steven F. Strobert remembered the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center. A modest man, recalled loved ones, Strobert carried a pregnant, terrified woman to safety down a flight of stairs, telling few. A bond broker at Cantor Fitzgerald, the 33-year-old is survived by his son Frankie and his wife Tara. A native of Poland, Gina Sztejnberg, 52, a database architect consultant by trade, was a traveler. Survived by two daughters and her inseparable traveling companion, husband Michael, Sztejnberg was called "the perfect traveling companion" by her daughter Laura in the New York Times obituary.

Anne Vandenvander was one of the few relatives afforded the opportunity to bury their loved ones. Her husband Jon, a trader at Carr Futures, worked in Tower 1. He had spoken to her after the plane struck the tower. "He said 'I love you and tell the kids I love them,'" she said to The Times. Vadenvander, 44, loved taking his two eldest children to the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, his wife said. "He was a great dad," she said.

Christopher Wodenshek headed the electricity brokerage department at Cantor Fitzgerald, a job he was highly dedicated to. But like the other victims of this lively suburb, Wodenshek was a also a family man, finding ways to see his five children and wife Anne in spite of work pressures.

The twelve village victims are remembered at Memorial Park in Van Neste Square as well as at the Village Hall complex. Their portraits were on display at the library over the summer and into September.

'Measure of closure'

Said US Senator Robert Menendez, “As a nation, we may all feel some measure of closure that justice was accomplished. ...  My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all New Jerseyans, are with those who lost family and friends on 9/11. Hopefully they can find some solace and a measure of closure today."

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg said that the “civilized world” will have “great satisfaction” and called bin Laden “one of the worst killers in the history of man.”

“He was a ruthless terrorist responsible for a savage mission that killed thousands of innocent Americans and others around the world,” Lautenberg said. “Now we must be particularly diligent and let the message get out that we we’ll do whatever is necessary to stop this kind of madness.”

What was your reaction to the news that bin Laden had been killed?