I don't know how many of you caught the NBC "channel 5" special during the Olympics about 15 minutes ago of what CANADA did for the U.S. citizens on the faitfull morning of September 11, 2001. I personally was humbled.
During the NBC presentation of the Olymplics tonight, Tom Brokaw did a special on the one particular event/relationship that took place on 9/11 in Canada. As all a planes in US airspace were grounded during the events on 9/11, many over the Atlantic were forced to return to Europe, though those that have already made the halfway point to the US mainland, they were diverted to NewFoundland. New Found land is a large but sparcely poplulated island off the East Coast of Canada. The largest airport is a World War II era airport known as Gander! Gander is a small community in NewFoundland with a population of 6,000. Jet after Jet was landed in this small community which was never intended on holding so many aircraft. Approx. 67 aircraft landed on this airstrip with no incident.
Following a long customs and anit-terrorism process over the next 24 hrs, the passengers were allowed to leave the aircraft and find shelter, clothing, and food.
Initially it was questioned how to transport the Americans to the shelters, from the airports since the local Bus drivers Union (Norton Bus Services) were on strike. The Union brothers/sisters dropped their picket signs and did what needed to be done (DTRT). They transported the passengers to the shelters and had put their own needs aside for the sake of taking care of their new visitors and showing unbelievable hospitality.
The outpooring of community support from the Canadians of Gander was unbelievable. Every local community club and affiliation opened their halls and meeting places to the Americans, and after that, hundreds of Canadian family households opened their personal homes to people needing a helping hand.
Keep in mind, that all travelers luggage had to be secured on the aircraft and only carry ons were allowed to leave the aircraft. The citizens of Gander gave the shirts off their backs and thens some. Local pharmacies filled prescriptions of traverlers for FREE! For abosolutely FREE! Many local department stores refused payment from the Americans when they tried to purchase underwear, and heigene needs, and additional cloting. Unbeilievalbe.
With over 7,000 passenters, the community of Gander stepped up and Did The Right Thing! They took care of the Americans as if they were their own.
While watching this presention tonight, I texted members of my company to tell them to watch, the response I got, was that several of my guys were already watching this and had tears in their eyes as I had. Humbing.
So toinght I am eating crow and admit that I am done making goofy fun of our neighbors to the North. Canada is a proud country in its own right, and I will now always have a simple appreciation to what they have done in our time of need for our fellow Americans.
Oooooooooh, Canada.........
