I find it interesting that nowadays in our world there has to be a day or a week or a time to celebrate, honor, or share yourself, your hospitality, or your charity with others. We have a Random Act of Kindness Week, a United Way Month fundraising effort in every community, and Christmas drives for the Salvation Army, hospitals, nursing homes, and less fortunate “angel tree” families. These fundraisers begin around October and carry on into the New Year.

September 11th changed all of that. America came together to help New Yorkers with a major outpouring of funds—for families of victims, for blood donations, and for future monies set aside to invest in those children who lost so much in the terrorist attack.

This story is about that time, but in a slightly different vein. It is a true story, sent by e-mail from a station manager for Delta, originated by a flight attendant. I want to share it with you in this wonderful time of hope, love, and God’s blessings.

Delta flight 15 to Frankfurt was over the Atlantic when the captain received an emergency message to land immediately at the closest airport. The message reported that all airways over the Continental United States were closed to commercial air traffic. There was no mention why—just do it. The captain called Gander, Newfoundland, 400 miles behind the aircraft, asking for a route change, which was immediately granted, no questions asked nor comments given. Before they landed, word reached the flight crew that there had been a terrorist attack in New York. The crew decided to keep this to themselves until they were safely on the ground.

Landing in Gander at 11 am, they joined 20 other aborted flights. The airport controller told the captain they would have to remain onboard the aircraft until further notice. At this point, the captain explained the situation to the passengers, who met the news with loud gasps of incredulity. Over the next few hours, the number of detoured flights reached 53, of which 27 were U.S. commercial airlines.

The cell phones aboard did not work with the conflicting Canadian cell system, and lines blocked from heavy calling. No one was allowed to leave the plane, nor were any people allowed 'to approach, except police and maintenance crews who kept the plane serviced. At 6 p.m., Delta flight 15 was informed that each grounded flight would disembark one plane at a time, and their “time” would be 11 am the next morning. There was some grumbling but news of the collapse of the twin towers and the plane crash into the Pentagon had reached them; therefore, most passengers accepted the situation gracefully.

The next morning, after clearing Customs and Immigration and registering with the Red Cross, the flight crew was taken to a hotel and the passengers were housed in Gander and surrounding communities. The high schools, meeting halls, lodges and even some private homes—for the elderly, infirm and pregnant women—housed the “plane people”, and families were kept together. All high school students were excused from classes to assist in caring for the visitors. Excursion trips were instigated to take those who wished on cruises upon local lakes, and telephone service to the states was offered once a day to each stranded traveler. These wayfarers bonded like families, learning each other’s first names, home addresses, and e-mail addresses. The majority of Flight 15’s passengers were housed in Lewisporte, where they remained for 2 more days. When U.S. airports reopened, local people made sure each passenger was at the airport on time for their return flight home.

On the return flight, one passenger asked if he could make an announcement over the public address system—which is NEVER allowed. The stewardess said, “Of course,” and handed him the mike. The man, a medical doctor, announced he was planning to set up a trust fund for the high school students of Lewisporte and would match any contribution made by his fellow travelers. He'd also ask Delta Corporate Headquarters to contribute. Over $14,000 was pledged by his fellow wayfarers.

People reaching out, helping one another—it is one of the good things that came from the horror of Sept. 11th. And during this Christmas season, I believe people will be even more generous than they have been in the past. We have all realized how important we are, even strangers, to one another. We are all family now. I hope your season is filled with love and light. 

~ Gabrielle M. Thompson, December, 2001