Local World Trade Center survivor lauds bin Laden's death

ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fl - CLICK HERE FOR RELATED STORIES

He was a bright-eyed 22-year-old, beginning his career in the financial industry with Morgan Stanley.

It was the second day of a three week company orientation for Justin Girard of Royal Palm Beach.

"I went to lunch with a buddy of mine on the plaza, and we're looking at the majesty of the buildings," he said.

That was September 10th.

The next day, an hour after he took his seat on the 60th floor of the South Tower, the North tower was hit.

As he and dozens of other sat in the staircase, deciding whether to evacuate, the building he was in, was hit.

"The building shook like it was made of rubber," said Girard.

"Your mind kind of slows all that stuff down. It probably only lasted three or four seconds. But it felt like it shook for a considerable period of time. You felt like it was falling, you couldn't get your bearings straight."

Since then, he has spoken to area schools about his surviving the attack that killed 2,606 who were in the majestic buildings.

He has also wondered, especially on the anniversaries, whether Osama bin Laden would ever pay.

"In my mind, he was responsible," said Girard.

On Sunday night, the bill came due.

Girard was glued to the TV.

"I don't think the wounds will ever fully be closed. But certainly this brings closure in some ways to 9/11."

He's struck by the time it took, not just that officials had their eye on bin Laden's compound since August, but that Americans have been trying to kill bin Laden since the day that bin Laden's followers nearly killed him.

"Ten years, it took so long. It's just unbelievable that as large and as powerful as we are, that it took that long to bring him to justice," said Girard.