"On September 11, 2001, 39 heavy aircraft were diverted to Gander International Airport when airspace was closed in the United States because of tragic terrorist hijackings. Runway 13/31 was converted to a temporary aircraft parking ramp. The airport terminal was turned into an aid centre as food and clothing was distributed to stranded passengers. The airport and its surrounding community afterwards received high praise for their response to the tragedy."
What a great story and the people of Gander, Newfoundland...thank you on behalf of America! Talk about a story falling through the cracks, I never knew all those planes were diverted to Gander and that American air space was shut down for the first time...ever. I realize at the time we had other things on our mind as a nation but I'm so glad Gander, Newfoundland got the praise and recognition they justly deserved.
You can read the story from Gander's Airport's website.
Gander was a town of 10,000 and they helped out and accommodated almost 7,000 people...that is just amazing to me. They provided home cooked meals, clothes (the passengers weren't allowed to take their luggage off the planes) and compassion. The people of Gander give me new faith in human kind, absolutely wonderful. ;) peace
I saw this special too...I thought the same thing that it wasn't going to be a long one but what a great story and the scholarship started by the Ohio State lady-- a fitting tribute to a generous people. I'm trying to find a video of this documentary and I came upon your blog.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great documentary and inspiring! ;) peace
ReplyDeleteThis story did fall through the cracks. Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteI remember a documentary, either on the History, Discovery or TLC channels concerning, specifically, the planes and passengers in Gander.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to find it on DVD. It is NOT the one that focused on the US flight controllers on 9/11...this was about the people on the planes and the wonderful people of Gander.
I too have been trying to find a dvd of this piece about gander and 9/11 i want to show it to my kids and my church Any luck?
ReplyDeleteI found the Doc I was searching for!
ReplyDeleteIt is called "Stranded Yanks: A Diary Between Friends...it was done in 2002 and shown on PBS...Google Stranded Yanks 2002 for lots of info.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Rik! ;) peace
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