Promise to dead soldier's father finally kept: His son's killer, Osama bin Laden, is dead

It took 13 years but the promise made by one president to the father of a dead soldier was finally kept by another.

The evil of Osama bin Laden, whose death Sunday prompted celebrations across the United States and the world, did not begin Sept. 11, 2001.


Bin Laden, was also the mastermind behind the 1998 attack on the United States embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, an attack which claimed the life of Sgt. Kenneth Hobson, 27, of Lamar, Missouri.
After his son's death, Kenneth Hobson, Sr. was given an audience with President Bill Clinton, which was reported in the Aug. 23, 1998, New York Times.

Mr. Hobson said that when families of the victims met with Mr. Clinton in Washington, he asked the President to promise him that the United States would take action when the authorities identified those responsible. ''I said, 'Promise me one thing: When you have evidence and proof of who did it, that something will be done. Promise me that you won't just let them go hide in another country and say that we can't get to them.' ''

The father, a decorated Army veteran who served in Vietnam, said the President replied: ''Mr. Hobson, I know my obligations and duties, and we will take care of it.''

Nearly 13 years have passed since President Clinton made that promise, a promise which he was unable to keep, and which was not kept by President Bush. Until Sunday, Osama bin Laden remained at large. Kenneth Hobson never had the satisfaction of seeing his son's killer brought to justice. He died April 30, 2008, at age 64.

Now thanks to President Obama and the courageous effort by a crack American team, the promise has been kept. Kenneth Hobson Jr's killer has been brought to justice and will never kill another innocent American.

Osama bin Laden's death came too late for Kenneth Hobson, Sr. but hopefully it can bring closure to his wife and his son's widow and children.