Unknown kindness

While watching the Winter Olympics, I saw an interview with Tom Brokaw of NBC News. He talked about the teamwork between the USA and Canada at the most devastating time of the 21st Century: the September 11, 2001 terrorist air attacks on the US.

After the airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the US airspace was closed — completely. What were those planes already in flight coming across the ocean supposed to do? They were told to land immediately. Many of those planes took a right turn to Canadian airspace and landed in Gander, Newfoundland. About 175 planes landed safely at Gander airport with no problems, lined up one behind the other.

Gander was a small town of only about 10,000 residents and 2 traffic lights. They were not prepared for this massive amount of guests at the last minute. These passengers did not know why they had been detoured to Gander. Most of them were only told there was an emergency. They did not know the extent of the attacks on the US. The hardest part of the adventure was getting passengers off the planes and processed for the security of all. Once they were all processed, then they were able to watch television and see the devastation in NYC and Washington, D.C. Not unlike those directly affected, they were shocked.

Many were wondering about family and friends. One couple’s son was a NY firefighter and about 3 days before they knew if he was working on September 11. A loving Gander woman asked this couple to stay at her house where they might be more comfortable, but the young man’s mother would not leave the Legion Hall for fear of missing that long-awaited phone call. The Gander woman respected that decision and stayed close to the couple all week, comforting them as best she could.

The residents of Gander opened their homes to the airline passengers. The store owners provided free clothes since the passengers were not allowed access to their checked baggage. Pharmacies filled prescriptions for free. Gander opened schools, churches, and Legion halls. They provided cots for sleeping and meals to eat on each day of their stay. The school bus company was on strike but they suspended that strike in order to provide transportation for each passenger.

After 4 days, travelers were finally able to continue on their journeys home to the US. Each one tried to leave money with the kind folks of Gander but no one would accept any payment. To show thanks, one lady decided to start a scholarship fund on behalf of the students of Gander so they can attend college.

Gander, Newfoundland and the September 11 attacks

This was a fascinating story to hear about the cooperation and teamwork between two neighboring countries. The hospitality of Gander is a great example of being Jesus to others. We can learn from this story.

May we show hospitality to others each day — not only in a time of crisis. It is the little things that count the most.