America's defenders remain vigilant

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - America's defenders stand guard, knowing that the death of Osama bin Laden does not mean the War on Terror is over.

Terry Harnden said, "I knew they'd get him. It was just a matter of time, and good things come to those who wait."

Harnden of Tonawanda lost her son in the hunt for bin Laden. Peter Tycz was a Sargeant First Class whose military plane crashed in Afghanistan almost nine years ago.

"It never gets easier," said Harnden.

He was the first local soldier to die in Afghanistan, and left behind a wife and children.

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>> Full coverage of the death of Osama bin Laden

>> See pictures from inside his compound

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Harnden said, "My son was on a mission and doing what he loved and what he wanted to do. The soldiers on Peter's team had often said, 'You're not going to find him in a cave, you're not going to find him in a hole like the others.'"

Peter Tycz was a Green Beret in the Army Special froces. His mother has put his group number 365 on her license plate.

"You don't want to belong to the Gold Star Mothers, but I'm proud to be a Gold Star Mother," said Harnden.

We also got reaction from Master Sergeant John Ceccatto, an Air Force Reservist who just said goodbye to his son who's off to fight in Iraq.

Ceccatoo said, "The reality is, it is not going to end terrorism. I think, personally, it is a testament to all the men and women in the military and all the leadership."

Disabled veteran Dennis Gawron said, "I don't think it is over.

Dennis Gawron is a local disabled veteran.. I think it is going to make it worse temporarily because you're going to have a lot of fanatics that will now take that and say it shouldn't have been done. I think we have to be very vigilant from now on for a long period of time."

Since the 9/11 attacks, 50 western New York military men and women have died in the War on Terror.