Gander, Newfoundland: The Small Town with a Big Heart

The small Canadian town of Gander, located on the island of Newfoundland, is home to approximately 12,000 residents. On September 11, 2001, Gander became a crucial landing site for flights grounded during the crisis. At the time, its far northeastern location served as the nearest airport for transatlantic flights.

Claude Elliott, who served as mayor of Gander during 9/11, remarked, “Once you leave Europe in the morning, the nearest airport is Gander.” That day, Gander International Airport welcomed 38 planes, despite having no contingency plan for such an event. “We have an emergency plan,” said Elliott, “but it doesn’t cover 7,000 unexpected guests for several days.”

With U.S. airspace closed, 38 international flights were grounded at Gander’s airport on that fateful morning. Gander’s officials quickly declared a state of emergency. Schools, churches, and community centers became temporary shelters, and the local hockey rink stored food supplies.

Gander’s residents warmly embraced the 7,000 stranded passengers and crew, whom they called “plane people.” Offers of help came from everywhere. Elliott noted, “The greatest asset of our community is its people. Everyone came out to help.”

Beulah Cooper, a local, volunteered at the Royal Canadian Legion, which sheltered 67 people from an Aer Lingus flight. She provided food, drove passengers to payphones, and offered her home for showers and rest. “It feels good to know you’re helping someone,” Cooper shared.

Cooper’s efforts and others inspired characters in the musical “Come From Away,” which premiered in 2017. The play tells Gander’s story of resilience and community. Initially skeptical, Mayor Elliott doubted how a musical could capture such events. “In my mind, I couldn’t see how you’d make a musical out of sandwiches and blankets,” he confessed.

Against all odds, “Come From Away” became a success, winning a Tony Award and captivating audiences worldwide. Mayor Elliott himself became an avid fan, attending over 130 performances in various countries.

Now, “Come From Away” also plays in Gander at the local arts center. Actor Peter Halley, who plays Mayor Elliott, highlighted the significance of Newfoundlanders portraying their own stories. “There’s authenticity in this cast,” he stated.

The musical’s title, “Come From Away,” refers to Newfoundland visitors. “You’re a ‘CFA’ when you come to experience our province,” explained Halley. Thanks to the play’s global acclaim, many CFAs visit Gander, drawn by the town’s legacy of kindness.

The aviation museum in Gander exhibits thank-you notes from passengers and metal beams from the Twin Towers. Tourists often partake in “screech-ins,” a local tradition where newcomers take a shot of rum and kiss a cod fish. Beulah Cooper enjoys participating in these events.

In times of crisis, ordinary individuals in Gander showcased humanity’s best. “Come From Away” celebrates the acts of kindness that occurred post-9/11. As Cooper expressed, “Treat others as you wish to be treated, and help when you can.”