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.

[shelly]

That was just beautiful, Donna! the people are as beautiful as their picturesque land!  THANK YOU!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was just looking at my local NJ newspaper. They had a front page story and large spread about the generosity of Newfoundland 10 years ago.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That was so interesting and it brought tears to my eyes. What wonderful people there are up in Newfoundland. Such extremes of human kindness inspired by such despicable violence. Thanks for posting Donna.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I was somewhat undecided if I should post this as I did not want it to seem as if we were patting ourselves on the back, but rather, I wanted to show the good side of humanity. There are so many stories and just one of them involved a police officer who went around town to find a lady to deliver a hug from her sister who was also a police officer and had managed to get in contact with the local police.

On those planes that day there were people from 93 different countries.

This weekend there are people from all over the world arriving in Gander for a 10 year reunion with the people who helped them during that traumatic time. Among them is a firefighter from New York, who said he came because along with the bad memories, he wanted to have something good to remember as well, which is my reason for posting this blog.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Donna, I just watched the video. What a wonderful story. Thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Donna, I have never heard this story.  Thank you so much for sharing it with us.  As we approach the anniversary of 9/11 I will choose to remember Gander, and the love and humanity that our Canadian neighbors showed us.  I appreciate your giving me another way to remember this day.

[BG and Gavin]

Crying (hard) Donna.  Each time the subject of 9/11 comes up and I speak about the wonderful role the people of Newfoundland played, many are surprised as they did not hear of this important story.  Just another tribute to Newfoundlanders going quietly about their business and not "blowing their own horn" about their generosity and hospitality.  A gift of a piece of the twin towers was recently sent to Gander as a thank you from the US. http://www.canada.com/travel/Gander+receive+piece+Twin+Towers+memor...

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Oh my gosh, i have tears in my eyes - what an amazing story - i had no idea. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Donna - this was so touching - makes me cry.  What a wonderful country you live in that they would show such kindness!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thank you Donna for sharing this with all of us.  Here we are 10 years from the day our lives stood still and I cry each and every time I see an image or hear a story related to September 11th.  I never want to stop shedding a tear for all of those lives.   I will never turn my eyes from the horror of that day.   My small way of honoring those who lost their lives.

Your neighbors (our neighbors to the north) showed the very best of themselves that day....the human spirit is a wonderful, remarkable thing.