Almost 10 years have passed since the attacks of Sept. 11. In that time, the United States has gone to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Thousands of troops have lost their lives, including many from the south suburbs. Late Sunday night, the news of Osama bin Laden's death began to spread. Americans turned on their televisions, or sat in front of their computers as information began to trickle in.

Patch spoke with dozens of locals about their thoughts on this abrupt ending to a chapter in American history. Yet for many, it is hardly an ending.

New Lenox resident Bernadine Lowell's son Jacob died nearly four years ago while serving in Afghanistan.

"I think about him every day, so there’s not going to be closure no matter who they capture," Lowell told Patch editor Michael Sewall. "Hopefully he’s up there, though, seeing who they get. Maybe it would be closure for him.”

American Legion Post 691 Commander Paul Klimczak gathered with other veterans at a VFW post in Midlothian Monday night.

“Osama bin Laden gets killed, it wakes everyone up again. You get people hanging off lamp posts in Times Square,” Klimczak said to Patch editor Paul Dailing. “Don’t remember for one day. Don’t remember for a remembrance. Don’t just remember for a funeral and then go back to your daily lives.”

In the last two days, your Patch editors have been talking to military families and folks on the street, engaging with Patch readers on Facebook, and collecting video. We've assembled the range of reaction for you here. If you'd like to add your views, please leave your thoughts on your hometown Patch.

Family of Tinley-Born Soldier Killed in Action 'Celebrate the Defeat' of Osama bin Laden

Pride, Joy, Fear and Disbelief at bin Laden Death

A Seat at The Table: A Local VFW Remembers Those Lost

Local Flight Attendant Recalls 9/11

PHOTO GALLERY: Almost 10 Years After 9/11, a Look at New Lenox Soldiers in Afghanistan

Bin Laden's Death Garners Reaction from Local Military Families, Including One That Lost Its Son

Elation and Skepticism Mark Local Reactions to bin Laden's Death

Retired Colonel and Former Illinois Homeland Security Adviser Offers H-F Advice

Local Mosque Leader Hopes bin Laden's Death Brings Peace to Muslims and the World

Bin Laden's Demise Stirs Memories of Our War Dead and Their Valor

Bin Laden's Death Another 'Where Were You' Moment

College Students React to bin Laden's Death

Mokena Reacts to Bin Laden's Death with Elation, Anxiety