The Worst of Man Brings out the Best in Man

[Donna K & Quincy]

 
On a sunny September day 10 years ago, I was at work going about the day just like any other when I passed by a patient,s room to see everyone gathered around the television with looks of horror on their face. I joined them and watched a plane fly in to the first of the Twin Towers. I could not believe what I was seeing and thought what a terrible, terrible accident, but within minutes my sense of horror was multiplied beyond belief as another plane flew into the second tower. It seemed as if the world stood still and I could not absorb what was happening as the towers began to collapse. New York is a long way from Newfoundland but little did I know the results of this tragedy would literally be at our doorstep.
I went outside for lunch and watched a very surreal scene unfold as dozens of planes came in to land within minutes of each other. The US airspace was closed and all flights were being diverted and accepted for landing in Canada. By this time, that it was a terrorist attack had become known and all of these planes were being landed not knowing what they were bringing , were there more bombs, were there terrorists still on board, were we in the same danger that was devastating America?
My mind was filled with thoughts of those in New York and for all of the others still on the planes fearing for their lives and worrying about loved ones back home.
That this was happening was almost more than I could comprehend, but driving home that evening and seeing all those planes sitting on the runway there was an eerie pall sitting over the city.That day 21 planes landed in St. John's with another 38 landing in Gander. The town of Gander had it's population double in just a few hours. The people on those planes spents many long hours sitting on the runway, unable to leave the planes until the planes had been searched and all the passengers cleared. I always think that it was just terrible that it took so long, but not knowing if there were still dangers everything had to be done very carefully and no one was prepared for the enormous task that clearing all these planes would take.
While all of these passengers were sitting, waiting and worrying as many of them had no idea where they had landed or what they could expect in what was a strange land for them, the folks of Newfoundland had sprung into action and had made ready for all of the unexpected guests.
Newfoundland has always prided it's self on being a friendly helpful place that would do it's best to help those who needed it, and now they were going to have to prove it.
I've added a video that explains a small part of what happened in Newfoundland following the tragic day of 9 11.
Like our American friends, that day will never be far from our hearts and minds and as this tenth anniversary is memorialized, we can only pray that such a scene will never again be witnessed.

 
"There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and have recovered hope". George Eliot

This is dedicated to those who lost their lives in this tragedy and to the loved one they left behind.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

What a beautiful and endearing story during such a tragic time in our world.

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for sharing this.  What a great story.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thank you all for your very kind comments. I was out hiking with Quincy today and my mind kept going back to that day 10 years ago. I can only pray that something like this never happens again.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow Donna, I had NO IDEA this took place at all so thanks for sharing. You are very blessed to live where you do, the beautiful places to go and the wonderful people. I wish the whole world was like this.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Thank you for sharing this Donna.  I too had not heard of the great outpouring of help from our Canadian neighbors. 

[Donna K & Quincy]

There is a link to another video and an excellent story on my page that F. Parker sent. It is wonderfully done and gives a lot more info on what went down during those days. It is a little long but if you have the time you can check it out. If I can figure it out I will post the link here, it really is very interesting and heartwarming.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

That was a wonderful story.  It gives you hope that people still care about one another.   Thank you for posting this.  I had not seen this story.  Canada is an amazing neighbor.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I cried reading your post and then cried even more watching the video. What a wonderful reminder that there is good in mankind when we are all remembering the sadness of that day.

Thank you for posting. And Donna, I knew when we first connected that you are one of those wonderful people.

God Bless Canada and God Bless America!

[Melody & Bruin]

What a beautiful story, brought tears and smiles - thank you for sharing.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow, add me to the group that had no idea.  What a wonderful town.  I have always loved the pictures of the area where you live and thought how absolutely beautiful the area is.  Now I love the people as well.  I had several friends that were caught traveling during that time, but none of them were in the air so didn't get diverted.  Just got stuck where they were at the time.  It seems we watched TV for days, and I really do not remember any stories like this.  Thank you so much for sharing!