"I believe that justice should be done," said Carmen Kleinwachter in Grand Forks on the day after U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. "But my first response after that was, 'What if that was my son?'"
In 2006, her son, Grand Forks native Christopher Kleinwachter, was killed while serving with the North Dakota Army National Guard in neighboring Afghanistan, a theater in the global war on terror.
For Kleinwachter, the news brings up memories of Christopher. He grew up in Grand Forks, graduated from Central High School in 1995 and is buried here. He is one of 12 National Guard members and 24 military service members from North Dakota who have died during the war on terror.
"There have been tears," Kleinwachter said. "But I know where Chris is. I know where he is, and I can hardly wait to see him -- not that I'm going to commit suicide or anything -- but it'd be really nice to go up and hug him."
Kleinwachter said she is worried about the effects of American celebrating the news of bin Laden's death, a position she knows may not be popular.
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"The only thing that concerns me is everyone's partying. What happens when the party dies down? Where do we go from here?" she said.
"I'm sure there are a lot of people that feel different," she said. "It's just that I feel sad that we have to kill each other in the name of peace. Can't we find another way?"
And while Kleinwachter wishes this event marked the end of conflict, she does not believe it does. "People's hearts have to change."
Gulya covers education. Reach her at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send e-mail to lgulya@gfherald.com .
