Thank you, Canada :)

[Criseyde]

I'm sure all the US Americans know that tomorrow is the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. I was only 12 years old when it happened; maybe that's why I never wondered where all the incoming planes went when the US closed its airspace.

In case you ever did wonder... they went to Canada.

"They shut down U.S. airspace, period, and we had to pick up the pieces. I don't fault them for that. It was an absolute tragedy," Collenette told The Associated Press. "There was no request. We were informed that the United States had closed its airspace to all incoming traffic, all planes were grounded in the United States, and that any planes flying into the U.S. airspace would be shot down. Frankly it was as brutal as that."

They closed their schools and churches to create shelters for 33,000 people. They donated food, clothes, blankets, coffee. Some people in Gander even brought people into their homes to stay.

I think it's sad that so few people even know about this. It's a really sweet article, so read it if you have the time.

[Lynn 007]

What a touching article and a true testiment on how everyone put differences aside and bonded on an emotional level.

As a Canadian, the people in Newfoundland are some of the nicest and most hospitable I have ever met.

Everyone came together during this tragedy. The whole town of Gander opened up their homes to anyone who needed to get away from the shelter and offered a place to clean up, get showers and enjoy a meal at a real dinner table.

They shared whatever they had. People just left their front door open, some even left keys in their cars. The local walmart stayed open 24 hours a day and let people get whatever they needed without any money. A perfect opportunity for people to be very greedy but most people stuck with camping supplies and necessities.

One of the great things I love about this story is none of the passengers who were stranded seemed to "pull rank" although quite a few well known people were on their way to NYC for fashion week.

Instead of insisting they must stay in a locals home; most people embraced the hospitality that was given to them and let everyone else experience it and returned to the shelter. They all took their turn.

Thanks for posting; a nice reminder how wonderful people can be.

Lynn

[Clint Cora]

As a Canadian as well, we are always there to help our friends south of the border. The ONLY time we won't be friends is when Team Canada plays against Team USA again in international hockey

[JSB]

Originally Posted by Clint Cora

As a Canadian as well, we are always there to help our friends south of the border. The ONLY time we won't be friends is when Team Canada plays against Team USA again in international hockey

Funny watching all those NFL teammates turning on each other!

[Clint Cora]

Originally Posted by JSB

Funny watching all those NFL teammates turning on each other!

You mean NHL?