The Valley reacts to Osama bin Laden's death

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The U.S. is on heightened alert following bin Laden's death. That includes Naval Air Station Lemoore. Action News heard from a petty officer at the naval base, who said barricades can be seen going up Sunday night.

We are also hearing reaction from other families affected by the 9/11 tragedy.

Tim Ward lost his life on 9/11, when he was a passenger on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. Action News talked to his stepmother, who lives in Visalia. She woke up Tim's father after our phone call to tell him the news. She said he became emotional after hearing about Bin Laden's death and this was what he had been waiting for ever since his son's death.

Action News also talked to the family of Nathan and Jared Hubbard, the two Clovis brothers killed in the war in Iraq. Jeff Hubbard told us he and his wife's first feelings are those of relief and they are extremely proud of the U.S. military. Still, he is now a bit concerned about what this level of jubilation tonight will do for the Al Qaeda movement that still remains, despite bin Laden's death.

People in Fresno took to the streets Sunday night to celebrate bin Laden's death. At Blackstone and Shaw, people were out waving flags and cheering as car drive by honking in support of their celebrations. Everyone had the same main reason to celebrate and remember those who have died at the hands of terrorists.

Many have various other reasons for their celebrations. A woman driving by on Blackstone told me her son is a Marine who has fought the War on Terror. Another man brought out his grandfather's flag from World War One to show his support.

While the news of Osama bin Laden's death brings up a lot of sorrowful emotions, many out here say bin Laden's death will bring new energy to our country.

Maryanne Atkinson said she used to live in New York and even went to Ground Zero a week after 9/11, "I went there and it was a great sadness, but today is a great happiness for me. And I support all of our men and women. I feel joyful; it's kind of turning around for our country I hope."

Patrick Evans of Fresno said, "When the clock strikes 911, when you see it numerically in any shape way or form you immediately think of Sept 11th"

Mark Ruby was celebrating in another part of town Sunday night. He told Action News he has no ties to 911 other than he can't get the images and sorrow from that day out of his mind. "We got the guy that's caused a lot of havoc to us; it's exciting that we got him."

Cars have been circling around Blackstone and Shaw Sunday night. At times all you could hear were cheers and horns honking.

The ABC30 Facebook page has received dozens of comments about the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Pamela writes: "Thank you to all who gave their lives all these years to rid the world of the awful, awful man."

Christiana writes: "My prayers have been answered."

Oscar writes: "Thanks for finally seeing a conclusion to the tragedies that took place nearly a decade ago. Here's to the thousands of lives lost on 9/11, victims, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and volunteers."

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osama bin laden, fresno northwest, fresno, fresno county, lemoore naval air station, clovis, local, rick montanez

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