Some Other Ways the Death of Bin Laden Was Celebrated

In the wee hours of Monday morning, crowds gathered at Ground Zero, in front of the White House and across the country to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden. But in addition to these public displays of elation, we've observed some more personal and, somewhat, strange ways people are choosing to commemorate the al Qaeda leader's demise. Let's take a look at some other ways the death of America's worst enemy was commemorated.

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Shaving a beard

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Oregon middle school teacher Gary Weddle finally shaved the beard he'd been growing since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. "Weddle was so caught up in the news that he neglected to shave," the Daily Astorian reports. "A week or so later, he vowed not to shave until bin Laden was captured or proven dead. He figured it would be just a month or two." The local Oregon newspaper notes that Weddle, initially suspicious that a friends' call informing him of bin Laden's death had been a joke, rushed to the bathroom to start shaving immediately after seeing the news on TV--before President Obama had even given his speech. (Photo by Donita Weddle of the Daily Astorian, there are more pics here)

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Burning a Christmas tree

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For some reason, Ethel Miles of Green Coves Springs, Florida still had her previous years' Christmas tree outside her house on 9/11. In honor of the lives lost in the terrorist attack, Miles decided to bring the tree back inside, paint it white, "decorated it with a patriotic theme and vowed to leave it up until bin Laden was dead," writes Heather Lovejoy at The Florida Times-Union.  Miles burned the symbolic tree Monday after hearing of bin Laden's death. She told the Florida paper that her first thought after hearing the news last night was, "Oh, hallelujah." (Photo of Miles's Christmas tree not shown; Michael van Fleet via Flickr.)

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Updating a sign

Cheryl Stewart of Red Hook, Brooklyn adorned the fence in front of her house with a sign that reads, "__YEARS ____ DAYS SINCE 9-11-01. WHERE IS OSAMA BIN LADEN?" after the U.S. waged war on Iraq in 2003. She has updated the numbers on the sign every day since then, including today when it was spotted with bin Laden's name partially covered by a piece of paper with the handwritten word "Dead." (Photo from Tina Fallon's Twitter)

Wearing an old tie

Texas attorney Bob Flournoy's promise to wear the same American flag tie to Bible study group until bin Laden's capture carried on for six years. According to the Lufkin Daily News,  "in 2007, Mayor Jack Gorden issued a proclamation releasing the former city attorney of his pledge. The tattered tie was held at city hall until today." Flournoy went back to the city hall today to pick up the tie and wear it one last time in celebration of bin Laden's death. (Photo from CBS News)

Decorating a pickup truck

Harry Buzby took to the streets of Philadelphia with his own, personal parade today, pulling a homemade float with his pickup truck in celebration of Osama bin Laden's death. "It’s a small float but loud with martial music, festooned with bunting and red, white, and blue ribbons," CBS's Philadelphia affiliate observes. " And in the trailer, alongside a helmet, boots, and a brass bell, the mannequin of an America soldier blows a trumpet." Buzby is pictured in front of his float below, wearing what looks like a cowboy hat and an American flag shirt. (Photo from CBS Philadelphia)

Wearing shorts

Blogger Nick the Barber felt the need to display his excitement over bin Laden being killed by American troops. The best idea he could think of? Customizing his favorite camouflaged shorts with a red patch reading: "FUCK WAR," of course. According to his blog, Nick's been wearing the shorts all day in solidarity with American service members. Yes, all day. (Photo from Nick the Barber)

Eating cheap wings

What is more American than bar food and beer? Several establishments are getting in on the action, using the military operation as an occasion to offer food and drink specials. Several bin Laden death-themed deals have been advertised via Twitter today, including these two:

Cheers RT @bubbys: "Bye Bye Bin Laden Special" tonight at Bubby's. Slider & Budweiser--$5.00less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyJulie Shapiro JulieShapiro

Celtic Tavern is having an all you can eat chicken wing buffet tonight in "honor" of Bin Laden's deathless than a minute ago via ÜberSocial Favorite Retweet ReplySophie _iScream4ice_