“I cannot express enough my deep sense of pride in our military servicemen and women, our intelligence community, and President Obama and former President Bush for their leadership and brave acts that led to the demise of an evil terrorist, Osama bin Laden. The selfless courage displayed by the Special Forces team that went into Pakistan to kill and capture the perpetrator of the September 11th attacks will never be forgotten. While the war on terrorism rages on, this is a great victory for our nation and our armed forces and is the boost in morale our nation needs.

“Our Fort Drum soldiers in the Tenth Mountain Division serve in the most deployed unit in the armed forces. They dutifully serve our nation in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations. I know our community constantly thinks about and prays for these American heroes.

“I know how harrowing and uncertain war can be, but I am absolutely certain of this – our armed forces are filled with people passionate for what is right and just. America remains the beacon of freedom, hope and resolve even in troubling times. To all our troops -Thank you!”

Editor’s note: Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush served in the United States Air Force and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He is a member of the Association of the United States Army, Northern New York-Fort Drum Chapter.