When President Obama went on national television to outline his plan for counter-terrorism actions Wednesday night — the 13th anniversary eve of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — family and friends of Ocean County and Monmouth County residents who perished had mixed reactions.
Obama told congressional leaders he wants to take action against the jihadist group known as the Islamic State. His plan includes more U.S. airstrikes, counter-terrorism actions, aid from other nations and military training and assistance to moderates in Iraq and Syria.
Lorraine Arias-Beliveau of Barnegat, whose brother, Adam Arias, died on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center, was angered by the plan.
"They have been dragging their heels and there's still no resolve to what happened here. No one has held these people accountable. There is still no justice for my brother or those 3,000 people who died," she said.
Eileen Fagan of Toms River supports Obama, even though she didn't agree with all he said.
"I don't want to see him send a lot of guys on land, even though it seems like they are escalating over there. But like it or not, I'm going to support my president," said Fagan of Toms River, who stayed up to watch Obama on television. Her sister, Patricia, died at the World Trade Center.
Fagan worked at the Bank of New York and her sister worked an insurance claims adjuster for AON, at the south tower on the 98th floor. At 8:46 a.m., when the north tower was struck by Flight 11, Fagan called Patricia but got a busy signal. Eileen Fagan evacuated and hoped she would see her older sister outside. She never did.
Fagan listened Wednesday without commenting until Obama's speech ended.
"I feel good about what he said and I think he is taking definitive action We have to do something proactive over there ... Our journalists are being killed and being killed in the worst way," Fagan said.
Obama's speech also showed the urgency for action, Fagan said from her living room chair. A picture of her sister in a gold frame was on the wall near her.
"You can tell from what the president said that it's a critical situation with Syria and Iraq," she said.
Fagan also found optimism in the fact Obama announced he will address the United Nations for help.
"It seems we are always the nation taking the lead. This way, maybe we can get a little more help," she said.
Fagan plans to speak at the Four Seasons Community in Barnegat on Thursday and talk about her sister.
Arias-Beliveau wanted closure and convictions for Sept. 11 terrorist detainees.
"Why are we focusing on killing other people? ... Why don't you just get to crux of matter? It's there. That's what he should be doing. Not all these other adventures for capitalist gain."
Arias-Beliveau watched Obama's speech with husband Jim — but turned off the television without feeling "confident."
"It was a weak promise and I feel our future is very bleak as far as anything being accomplished," she said immediately following the president's remarks.
She wanted to hear Obama promise action on Guantanamo Bay prisoners, who she says are responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The president's words, she said, were not inspiring.
"I think the American people are scared. And I think they wanted to hear more than what he said," she said.
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