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Gander residents and 'plane people' reunite to commemorate 25 years of hospitality following the September 11 terrorist attacks

The small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, hosted a commemoration service to honor the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Residents and the 'plane people'—the thousands of travelers who were diverted to the town's airport—reunited to celebrate the kindness shown by the local community during the crisis. On September 11, 2001, Gander's airport became a primary landing spot for 38 planes carrying over 6,600 travelers and crew. The town, which had no specific contingency plan for such a large influx, declared a state of emergency. Locals transformed schools, churches, and even a hockey rink into shelters, providing food and bedding for the stranded passengers. Many residents, such as Beulah Cooper, volunteered to provide sandwiches, shuttle passengers to pay phones, and host visitors in their homes. The town's hospitality is also featured in the Tony award-winning musical 'Come From Away,' which depicts the story of the town's response to the 9/11 attacks. The commemoration included a 'screech-in' ceremony, a traditional ritual where visitors take a shot of rum and kiss a cod fish to become honorary Newfoundlanders.

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