The Day the World Came to Town
by Jim DeFede
Most adults can tell you where they were when they saw or heard the news of the infamous day of September 11, 2001. And the memory usually comes with a range of emotions including sadness and anger.
by Jim DeFede
Most adults can tell you where they were when they saw or heard the news of the infamous day of September 11, 2001. And the memory usually comes with a range of emotions including sadness and anger.
This book tells another story about that day, one that can bring
a sense of healing and hope.
By 9:15 am on September 11, 2001, US airspace was declared closed. All domestic airlines were required to land
immediately at the nearest American airport.
All foreign airlines with US destinations were ordered to return to their
countries of origin or to land in Canada.
This book is an account of how the people of Gander, Newfoundland, on
the eastern coast of Canada (population: 10,000) generously opened their
businesses, homes, and hearts to the 6,560 people (with a few animals, too)
from around the world who descended upon the local airport during a time of
great uncertainty, anger, and sadness.
The stories of the townspeople’s generosity and the response
of the detoured guests are heartwarming.
My favorites include the respectful behavior of an executive of a high
end clothing line who had to purchase underwear at Walmart. And the Rabbi whose intuitive sense of
purpose in this quiet place was validated by a visit with a local resident
whose hidden past could now be shared. And
the man whose use of the local school’s computers to conduct a “little”
business resulted in a large donation to the school.
Soon after the last plane had left, the provincial
government offered to fund a celebration for the townspeople, in honor of their
service to the global community. The
townspeople declined, saying that they there was “no reason to throw a party
just because they had helped a group of people who were in trouble…They did
what they did for one reason only – it was the Newfie way.”
And what a wonderful way that is.
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