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I've often wondered what Gander, Newfoundland, is like, having flown over it traveling the great circle route between New York and Europe. Now I know. It's full of nice people.
A town of about 10,300 on the eastern Canadian island, Gander unexpectedly played host for two or three days to about 6,500 airline passengers when 38 planes were diverted to the Atlantic province on Sept. 11. Pilots were told to land as soon as possible at the nearest airport after air traffic was halted over the continental United States because of the terrorist attacks.
The town's generosity came to light recently via a letter circulating on the Internet from a Delta Airlines crew member on Flight 15. Gander's Web site, www.gandercanada.com, also has posted letters from numerous appreciative Americans. According to the Delta letter and a Gander spokeswoman, here's what happened:
Gander and surrounding communities closed their high schools, meeting halls and other large gathering places, converting them into mass lodging areas. Some places had cots, while others had mats with sleeping bags and pillows. High school students volunteered to take care of the "guests," and nurses were with the stranded passengers during their stay. Elderly passengers were taken to residents' homes. One woman more than 8 months pregnant stayed in a home across the street from a 24-hour urgent-care facility. Phone calls and e-mails to the United States and Europe were available for everyone once a day.
For recreation, passengers were given a choice of excursions. Some people went on boat cruises of the lakes and harbor, while some went to see the local forests. Bakeries made fresh bread, and residents prepared food and brought it to the school for those who wanted to stay put. Others were taken to the eatery of their choice for meals. The stranded passengers were given tokens for the local coin-operated laundry so they could wash their clothes because their luggage was still on the plane.
"We were only too glad to accommodate our unexpected visitors and do our part to help out during this trying time," said the Gander spokeswoman.
When Delta Flight 15 left Sept. 14 for Atlanta, the crew member said it was like a party flight. Everyone knew everyone else by name, and passengers were exchanging phone numbers and addresses. They had totally bonded. And they agreed to start a scholarship fund for the high school in neighboring Lewisporte, where many had stayed.
Among the many expressions of thanks on the Gander Web site is this from a couple in Sacramento, Calif.: "Your show of true humanity and care of those strangers is a lesson that I will never forget, nor would I want to. I only hope that we can all be prepared to reach out to strangers as you did that sad September day. . . . Should any of you want to visit the sunny state of California, do not hesitate to contact our family. We would be more than happy to provide you with a safe haven to rest and relax while you are here."
I remember when Canada helped six U.S. diplomats escape from Iran during the 1980 hostage crisis. I was touched then, and I'm touched now. Gander's generosity reinforces my view that one of the 10 best things about the United States is having Canadians as our northern neighbors.
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