Ray Ward is already in the middle of rebuilding the house he bought in memory of his son. It burned to the ground earlier this year. He says news of Osama bin Laden's death was emotional and rewarding.
Nearly ten years have passed since Ray Ward's son, Tim, died in the September 11th attacks in New York City. 38-year-old Tim Ward was a passenger of Flight 175, which crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center just after 9:00 a.m. that fateful day.
"It's hard to even talk about it and it will, I've never really sat and talked about he's the only son I had," said Ward. "He was a great kid
Ward was at home with his wife, Norma, Tim's stepmom, when they got a phone call telling them of Osama bin Laden's death. They turned on the TV, watching people celebrating the news on the streets in front of the White House.
Ward said, "It's past my bedtime but it was hard to go to sleep I watched them all."
Norma said, "It was real emotional everyone just kind of, held their feelings, like a relief."
Norma and Ray are rebuilding the house they bought with 9-11 victims' compensation money they received. The house, which was bought in honor of Tim, accidentally burned down twice in the last year. They say living in the house when it is complete will now have a different feeling to it.
Norma said, "I think Ray can come back in with even a good heart knowing that Bin Laden is gone now."
Ray Ward commends the actions of the U.S. Military, adding that the Navy Seals did what they were trained to do. "I don't know how they figured it out well they lost one helicopter out of it, they blew it up but as far as I'm concerned it was worth it."
I asked if he needed to see a photo of Bin Laden to prove he's dead, he told me he doesn't need to, he's seen enough photos of him over the last ten years.
The Wards hope to move into their new home, dedicated to their son, by the end of the year.
