Naperville parents of commander killed on 9/11 hope bin Laden’s death brings ‘peace’
Don and Pat Shanower of west suburban Naperville were watching television Sunday evening when a phone call changed their lives.
Their friend, Chuck Johanns, called. Johanns is co-chairman of the group that planned the memorial on the city’s Riverwalk for their son, Naval Cmdr. Dan Shanower, who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and other victims of that terrorist attack.
Johanns had news: Taliban leader Osama bin Laden had been killed in a U.S. siege in Islamabad, Pakistan.
“We have been led to believe he (Osama) was the one who was responsible for 9/11,” Pat Shanower said. “So it’s a relief to know to know he’s gone … that something has been accomplished.
“But I don’t believe it’s the end. I’m sure there are others (following bin Laden). But I hope it’s a step to eventual peace. “
“I guess it was a shock, she said. “I hadn’t been thinking of anything like this on a Sunday night.”
Pat Shanower said a naval base where their son had been stationed plans to dedicate a conference center this Sept. 11 and that they plan to be there.
-- Naperville Sun
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