Join the Debate: Your Response to Important News of the Day

JOIN THE DEBATE - YOUR RESPONSE TO IMPORTANT NEWS OF THE DAY

What has been the enduring legacy of September 11 for you?

Click here to have your sayOn september 11, 2001, when Islamic terrorists attacked the United States with hijacked American airliners, Washington halted all civilian air traffic at 9:45 a.m. In 45 minutes, 132 aircraft approaching from Europe were diverted to Canada’s east coast, 83 to Newfoundland alone. Warned by radio, most pilots withheld the news to avoid panic. On Delta Flight 15 to Atlanta, Capt. Mike Sweeney simply lied to his 218 passengers over the PA system: “Folks, we’ve got a minor problem with an indicator light, so we’re going down to have it checked at Gander airport.”

Upon arrival, all were amazed to see 27 jets on the remote tarmac. “Our ‘problem’ was a ruse,” Sweeney confessed after landing. “The truth is, we’re here because American airspace is now closed.” Gravely, he told of the earlier flights seized over eastern American states that exploded on impact with the two 110-storey towers at New York’s World Trade Centre and the Pentagon near Washington, killing thousands.

In the business-class cabin, Shirley Brooks-Jones shuddered. A 65-year-old retired college official, she’d been in Denmark at a board meeting of People to People International, an organization founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower to foster global goodwill. Now, confronted instead by hatred for her homeland, she was deeply afraid. “I couldn’t imagine what might happen next.” Least of all could she have conceived that such evil would inspire thousands of total strangers to the finest acts of kindness she’d ever known.

By 2:36 p.m., 42 jets had reached Gander; 27 more were in the provincial capital of St. John’s, plus 15 at Goose Bay and Stephenville. Of the almost 14,000 passengers—mainly Americans—few knew where on earth they were.

What 530,000 Newfies call The Rock was Britain’s first colony in 1583. Long before joining Canada in 1949, its fisherfolk had adopted Samaritan ways in hard times. “They shared,” E. Annie Proulx wrote in her best-seller, The Shipping News, and “they helped their neighbour.” So their descendants were quick to aid the “plane people” who came that Tuesday.

At noon in St. John’s (population 175,000), an emergency-measures official phoned Glenn Stanford, manager of Mile One Stadium, wanting to use the 5,900-seat hockey arena as a staging area for some of the recent arrivals. “We’ll be ready,” Stanford vowed. When crowds appeared at 5 p.m., his staff dished out 300 litres of soup, 9,000 sandwiches, cookies and countless bottles of water. On one wall was a large map of Newfoundland, an arrow aimed at St. John’s, with “You are HERE!”

In Gander, 6,132 passengers from almost 40 lands stayed on the planes while local officials arranged to shelter them. Since the town of 10,000 had few hotels, students were sent home so classrooms and gyms could be used as dormitories, along with local churches and clubs. Sixty striking school-bus drivers pitched in without pay, and tonnes of donated food was stored in the ice rink.

After 4,200 visitors had landed in Gander, it was decided smaller communities would take the rest. In Lewisporte, a tidy town of 4,000 on Burnt Bay, Mayor Bill Hooper was phoned at his print shop by a Salvation Army padre just back from Gander. “They want our town,” said Maj. Lloyd George, “—all of it.”

“Okay, it’s theirs,” replied Hooper. That night at the “Sally Ann” hall, Hooper and his wife, Thelma, helped to lodge and feed 773 stranded passengers in four churches, three schools and various private homes. After the mayor made a radio plea for food, Lewisporte’s women cooked through the night while men went door-to-door rounding up bedding.

Typically, other communities pitched in. Besides casseroles, baked beans, pies, and such local delights as moose meat and cod tongues, they provided cases of baby food, toothpaste, razors, shampoo and deodorants, along with cribs, diapers, toys, dolls and games for all ages. As Gander received and distributed 4,000 army litters for the Great Canadian Sleepover, many kids lent blankets and pillows off their own beds.

The following morning, after a long wait, Delta Flight 15’s passengers left the plane with their carry-on bags to be screened by Customs and Immigration, then rode to Lewisporte in yellow school buses. As the first one arrived at the Lions Club, Mayor Hooper, wearing a Molson Canadian baseball cap, stepped aboard. “An awful tragedy brought you here,” he said, “but we hope you’ll see how welcome you are.”

Volunteer Phyllis Porter spotted an American girl weeping on her young husband’s chest and gave her a motherly hug. “Don’t fret, dear,” she said. “This is a safe haven.”

On phones installed just for them, many newcomers finally reached relatives around the globe, at no cost. On the club’s TV sets, they watched reruns of the terrorist attacks for the first time, gaping in horror and disbelief.

After a comfort-food lunch and naps under cosy quilts, the accidental tourists found that their hosts had anticipated every need. From the care of physicians and nurses to prescription drugs and laundry tokens, everything was free. During two days in town, visitors were lent baby strollers, golf clubs—even cars. Lewisporters also laid on hikes in the woods, whale-watching trips or quiet suppers at home. As Todd Hudson wrote to a Dallas newspaper, “Those Canadians took us into their arms as family.”

Nobody was more impressed than Dr. Robert Ferguson, 47, a neuroradiologist from Ontario who had recently moved to North Carolina. “At first I assumed governments were paying the shot,” he says. “But no, it was mainly the locals—in our poorest province!”

Linda Moyles turned her bedroom over to Jeannette DeCamp, a U.S. Army specialist from Florida who’d been sleeping on the floor of the United Church in her eighth month of pregnancy. Since Moyles’s husband was away, she also made room for a teenager en route to her grandfather’s funeral, plus two opera students from Germany. “Come and go as you like,” she told them. “The door’s never locked.”

Wherever plane people stayed, parties were held with old-time fiddlers and fishermen’s songs like “The Squid Jiggin’ Ground.” Scores of outlanders became honorary Newfies by downing high-octane rum called screech or by kissing a codfish.

There were also interfaith memorial services. After one in Norris Arm, where Canadians joined in “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a burly logger embraced an American man he didn’t know, tears streaming down his cheeks; not a word was said, or needed.

At a special mass in Gander, as Siobhain Butterworth wrote in Britain’s Guardian newspaper, “There were people weeping throughout the service, glad of the chance to let go.” With them, Father David Heale told the congregation, was a couple whose son was missing in New York. So prayers were said for him. Weeks later, word came back that firefighter Kevin O’Rourke, 44, father of two, had died in the trade centre ruins.

Among 117 guests at the Philadelphia Pentecostal Tabernacle in Lewisporte was the president of New York’s famed Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Gordon Conway, who’d been in Italy with his board and staffers. Conway ate and slept at the church but spent his days running one of the world’s richest endowment funds from a computer lab at the Lewisporte Middle School. Meanwhile, Vice-President Denise Gray-Felder became an ardent booster of the town. Calling her husband, she raved about its kindness until he loyally insisted that New Yorkers would be just as generous in such a situation. Said she: “I doubt it!”

But other Newfoundlanders surely were. Pleased by a busker’s zither playing in downtown St. John’s, Edith Bajema of Michigan offered a donation. “Not today, love,” said the busker. “I just want to give people some soothing music after what’s happened.”

Among the 361 guests at St. Paul’s Intermediate School in Gander were many British youngsters and escorts bound for Florida’s Disney World. There, Taylor Hudson from Yorkshire was supposed to meet “Cinderella” on September 14, her fourth birthday. Instead, local teachers staged a big party with four large cakes “from the people of Newfoundland,” delivered by high school girls in fairy wings. Happily Taylor got to Florida—and Disney World—after all.

When U.S. air-space reopened on Friday, Delta Flight 15 passengers were alerted about their return bus trips to Gander airport at 7:15 a.m. the next day. Back on the plane, chattering like magpies, people who’d recently seen Europe’s great cities were talking only of little Lewisporte and its hospitality. “It was like they had been on a cruise,” a crewman observed. “They totally bonded.”

Early in the flight to Atlanta, Dr. Robert Ferguson, the Canadian living in North Carolina, wondered how they could thank the people of Lewisporte for their kindness. When he suggested taking up a collection to endow college scholarships for the town, Shirley Brooks-Jones volunteered to help. After Captain Sweeney gave his okay for the use of the PA system (plus $500), Brooks-Jones made a pitch, and pledge sheets were sent around. Back came promises for $15,000 U.S.—then more than $23,500 in Canadian funds.

To date, the total has swelled to around $50,000 U.S., and contributions still arrive regularly. But Brooks-Jones, a sometime fund-raiser for Ohio State University, later raised her aim to $1 million, to be shared with Gander and possibly other Newfoundland towns that took plane people in.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ralph Kleiman of California, who was sheltered at Lewisporte’s Anglican church with his wife, Agatha, was so pleased by its hospitality that he paid $5,920 to install new lighting. Now they plan to spend every September 11 in Lewisporte. “Despite what sent us there,” Kleiman says, “it’s a place of very fond memories.”

In November the Rockefeller Foundation sent cheques for $15,000 U.S. to Lewisporte’s Pentecostal church and $52,500 U.S. for its middle school to open a second computer lab with 36 new machines. For their part, Lewisporters were un-easy at being rewarded for acts that seemed only natural to them. As Thelma Hooper put it, “We just did what we thought anyone would do.”

At the time, the federal and Newfoundland governments hadn’t offered to repay the cost of the plane people’s upkeep, or been asked to. Lewisporte spent over $20,000 on food alone. In time, the province repaid $2 million. But municipal affairs officials in St. John’s concede that the full amount spent by local residents—but never claimed— probably ran much higher.

After its busiest few days since the postwar era, when Gander was one of the main transatlantic refuelling points, the 64-year-old airport soon reverted to handling ten or more international flights per day on the ground. In the air, however, many pilots who were there on 9/11 began flying closer and calling down, “Thanks again.”

Among the first to do so was Capt. Beverley Bass of American Airlines, a genial Texan who always has a fond message for Pat Woodford, in Gander’s control tower, and his wife, Glenda. With good reason, too. When she brought in American Flight 49 on September 11, its 156 passengers were led to the Knights of Columbus club rooms by Woodford, an ardent member. “We hired a cook, who fed them up just fine —stuffed chicken, Jiggs’ dinner, venison—and there was entertainment every night.”

Besides putting up two couples at home, the Woodfords made 50-some friends who still keep in touch. As Woodford puts it, “They’re the silver lining to that devilish dark cloud.”

Over the past year, thousands of plane people have written the world’s media to tell how well they were treated in Newfoundland. One of the most memorable was a letter of thanks from Suzanne Bryant, a lawyer from Texas. “In the middle of a crisis,” she wrote, “there was an opportunity to experience the incredible kindness of strangers.”

What has been the enduring legacy of September 11 for you?

Date: January 21, 2003
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
I was watching CNN with one of my daughters on the morning of Sept 11. We were listening and watching how a plane had hit one of the trade centre towers, and how the reporter was calling it a tragic accident. Then we saw another plane come across the screen and hit the second tower. My daughter asked me, "Did that plane fly into that building on purpose? I replied with a heavy and sad heart "Yes, I'm afraid it did". She then asked "Why?" I replied I didn't know." BUT I DID KNOW. It was obvious that the USA was under attack by terrorists. As the morning went on, it revealed how vunerable we all are, and that war again, had entered North America. I believe most people thought they were safe in their North American homes, and that all terrorist attacks took place in foreign lands. The legacy 9/11 left us with, will be a lost of innocence to everyone young and old. We can never take our safety for granted again. I hugged my children and sent them off to school, then cried for all the souls lost that morning.

Date: January 11, 2003
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
The enduring legacy of Sept 11 2001 for me is the profound effect it will have on the rest of my life.

Firstly, we in N. America do not have the confidence we once had. Our security has been compromised - and it is no less impactful living on the West Coast of Canada. The trade centre was just down the road that day. I cried; everyone I knew cried. It was at least a week before people recovered from shock enough to perform their normal routines. Meetings were cancelled or postponed, and everyone stayed home when they could. However, Sept 11 is about far more than a terrorist attack. It took place on American soil, and THAT was previously unthinkable. We no longer feel safe.

But the real legacy is the shaken economic environment in the (relatively) short term, and the soon to be initiated beginning of WW 111 in the long term. I fear for my adult children and my as yet unborn grandchildren.

Immediately after 9/11 I noticed American patriotism EVERYWHERE.
***It is no longer acceptable or even safe to hold any opinion which may be viewed as anti-American.*** (For example, the professor from UBC who received death threats because she made comments regarding America's bullying tactics, aka "foreign policies" as contributing factors to 9-11.)

I also now see references to Christianity everywhere, and they are usually linked with Americanism. These words have become inseparable in the media: America-Christian-righteous-strong-free-just... while many Muslims are subtly (or not!) portrayed as suspect, untrustworthy, ignorant automatons trained to hate freedom and Americans.

I am so sad that all the propaganda is about the terrorists hating Americans for silly reasons like they hate freedom and democracy. Under no circumstances have Americans thought to re-examine what they are doing in the many countries they have "an interest" in.

Americans do not seem to care about the innocent parents having to watch their innocent children slowing dying of starvation as their parents hold them in their arms, because of American sanctions against their country -- not allowing them to import food! Starve the Children. This is called "American Foreign Policy", and the theory is that the citizens soon won't care what demands their governments concede to the Americans, as long as they are again allowed to feed their children.

And if the offending government *does* stand up to the US for too long ... they seem to, usually mysteriously, tumble and a coup takes place, organized by "freedom fighters", which apparently is different than terrorism because it is supposedly violence for democracy.

Most North Americans are not aware of the true state of the world ... and worse still, they do not care to. Most have no clue how many countries the Americans "have an interest in". It is easier to believe that people hate you because you have something they do not than it is to look in the mirror.

There can be much to be learned by watching non-US stations' news, and when the news is 'just in' and you can see it before it has the US spin put on it.

I wish one one-thousandths of the energy directed to 9-11 be redistributed to assist issues of the genocides and violence in many African countries .. but alas, as I heard the president say when asked if he would send aid, "We have no interests there" and he went on to take other questions.

I am so sad... for this world.

Date: December 17, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
It is the weapons of mass destruction, which we humans have created, that scare the heck out of me. That is why the U.S. has to take the offensive, but unfortunately by doing so, they will probably create some martyrs in the process, who will only add to the problem. The U.S. will have to seek a balance.

When I watched that famous documentary on the making of the atom bomb, I'll always remember how the inventors were afraid of what might become of it. So goes for the rest of the weapons of mass destruction.

I am saddened that at a local, community level we can live in peace, but when it crosses national borders, we cannot. It is like their are too many perceived differences at that point, that can be overcome. Perhaps poverty plays into it- I don't know. I also wonder if there was more land and natural resources for people in the middle east, etc, whether there would be less war. Or another way, maybe we could put better population controls on the earth's people.

Date: December 02, 2002
Name: Marilyn Rose-Alyward

Comments:
At the end of the article "The Kindness of Strangers" (October's editon), you asked "what has been the enduring legacy of September 11th for you". The enduring legacy of September 11th for me has been the overwhelming & sincere desire of people from all around the world, to try in some way, to help out or to send their condolences to the victims of the tragedy that occurred that day. Even though the people of my small home town (Drayton Valley Alberta), had not been directly affected like those in NewYork or even Newfoundland, they still lived up to our town's motto of "Pulling Together". When my sister Donna and I asked for help in sending a message to New York, complete strangers, including police officers,clergy,cable networks and everyday folks, came out to lend a hand. Together we recorded a song called "We All Care",& a poem entiled "Your Universe",and delivered them to the U.S. embassy, to be sent to the mayors office in New York. We don't know if they ever made it to New York, but the welcome reception my sister & I received at the US embassy in Calgary was worth all the effort that was put forth. We knew that even if the song and poem only touched once person, then we had accomplished our goal. And more importantly, our community had pulled together to send a message of love, peace, faith and harmony to anyone who had been affected by Sept 11th. And that seems to be almost everyone, everywhere in the world. Thanks Drayton Valley, for doing your part. And thank-you Readers Digest for printing stories such as the "The Kindness of Strangers", to help us acknowlege the greatness of "spirit" that is alive and well worldwide- a true Legacy!!!

Date: November 18, 2002
Name: Heather Carroll

Comments:
September 11 2001 was my son's 14th birthday. I had left the house joyous looking forward to that evening when we would join as a family and celebrate. That did not happen and to tell the truth I do not remember his birthday supper. We have spoken of this as a family many times and no one, not even the birthday boy remembers anything but sitting in front of the television. We were overwhelmingly saddened and frightened but I must admit I was more frightened the next morning. I did not want to go to work and leave my children. I was for many days, nervous of what was to come. I worried if the 11th was just a preview and if bin Laden was planning on more terror while the world was in shock. I was anxious and had a very difficult time concentrating, as I know many of my co-workers admitted to.
This year we celebrated my son's 15th birthday. We did not watch television or listen to the news. We knew there were memorials and although I felt quilty for not taking the time to honour the victims I and my family needed to celebrate my son.
The legacy I have been left with is an uneasy sense of insecurity. While we are living our lives there are people in the world planning on destroying it. That is what I have been left with.

Date: November 15, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
As a resident of Gander, Newfoundland, I will only say that we were, in fact, extremely fortunate that we are located where we are. Everyone else could only sit and watch the horror unfold. We were extremely blessed to be able to DO something, anything, to help someone. Like the rest of the world, we would have done anything to be able to reach out and do something for the victims' families. We couldn't do that, but we could offer something to thousands of others who were in need, as we were, - not the shelter or the food - but the need to touch others' hearts and know that evil was not taking over our lives. It was a truly amazing 5 days, for us as well as for the passengers.

Date: November 10, 2002
Name: Anthony Buckland

Comments:
At first, I experienced the same horror so many others have recounted. But I soon rebounded to
something like elation over the courage of the
passengers and crew of Flight 93 and over the
international response. The terrorists believed
their own rhetoric about the supposed weakness of
Americans: a big mistake. A far bigger one was to
concentrate on the words "Trade Center" and forget
the preceding "World." They killed citizens of
scores of countries, and for the first time awoke
a spirit of our species, our planet, beginning to
unite in a war of all of us, not so much against
nations except insofar as some governments may
support terrorism, but against the worst within
us. There have been stumbles, but that spirit
still prevails 14 months later in the latest
Security Council resolution, supported by all the
Permanent Members, who used to agree on little of
critical importance, and even by Syria. I have
great hopes for what this more united world may
achieve in our new millennium.

Date: November 07, 2002
Name: Heather

Comments:
The day 9/11 happened I was in the travel industry when the first report came in we did not like everyone else comprehend the impact it was about to have on a lot of peoples lives. I booked travel for a large American Corportate so needless to say our office worked non stop for the first 24 hours, locating our tavellers and making sure everyone was accounted for. We continued working non stop for the following week getting everyone home. Less then one month later I was laid off due to the slow down in travel. I find it interesting when speaking to people that they did not realize how many Canadian's were also effected economically when this event happened many lost jobs.
I say I may have lost a job however I can wake up every morning and see those I love that is the most important thing. People have put to much into their jobs instead of realizing that in the grand scheme of things it is such a small part of life. Enjoy the small pleasures.

Date: November 05, 2002
Name: Ian Young

Comments:
After 9/11 I became intensely aware of the hatred some people have towards America and sickened by those in our own media(America's and Canada's) and internationally who would declare that America somehow deserved the attacks.
It isn't merely hatred though that drives these enemies but their indoctrination as children.
Just as small children are taught to hate the Jew in some countries. The same educators teach them to revile Americans. Now, our own media can count themselves among them.
I am sad, sick and scared but not because of America and it's alleged sins.
But, because of partisan journalists and fanatical murderers and opportunist politicians and indoctrinated, brainwashed innocents.

Date: November 01, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
I think that your story on the kindness of strangers was wonderful. I am so glad that people understand that we helped everyone that needed it because that was the right thing to do and not for publicity. It is so good to know that friends were made and now so many strangers know that anyone will be welcomed warmly in Newfoundland no matter what the circumstance.

Date: October 29, 2002
Name: Marilyn Hopton

Comments:
I've always been proud of my Newfoundland roots, but that was brought back to me even more clearly recently. It wasn't until this past summer that my husband and I finally had the chance to visit Newfoundland and I met some of my second cousins for the first time. That was when I truly came to appreciate what a Newfoundland Welcome really means. These distant cousins from the Conception Bay area of the Avalon Peninsula truly made us feel welcome and a part of their family. I grew up with stories of various Newfoundland family members and their kindnesses and I know now they must all be true. I was not the least bit surprised to read the stories of how the Newfoundlanders made their many Sept. 11 drop-in visitors so very welcome. It was typically "down home".

Date: October 27, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
Sept 11 2001, showed us the worst of Humanity, and the best. I pray for God to have mercy on those innocents that have died and those left behind. My heart aches for the families that have lost loved ones through senseless agressions, in Sudan, Ireland, India, New York or anywhere in the world.

Date: October 24, 2002
Name: Bernice

Comments:
I would like to take this time to let EVERYONE know that Newfoundlanders have always been good people,when help is needed they are the first ones to get involved.There are no strangers in newfoundland everyone is a friend.Along with my HUSBAND,we are very proud newfoundlanders,even though we left Newfoundland over 30 years ago.HOME IS "HOME SWEET HOME."

Date: October 14, 2002
Name: Name Withheld

Comments:
I believe that, yes, the Newfies did a great thing by helping all of the "plane people" last Sep.11th, but with all respect, I believe any Canadian province/territoiry would have. It just so happened that Newfoundland is where most planes land in an emergeny because of the province's location. The Newfies help has given Canada a good name, I admit, and it was a great effort, and I am overjoyed by that. But all these articles of how the Newfies are great and they're the best help Canada gave on Sep.11th, I believe is not fair to the rest of us Canadians. We would have done the same thing. So maybe, if Americans want to thank Canadians, they could thank us all, for the help we all did, not just what the Newfies did.

Date: October 11, 2002
Name: Christine Gibbons

Comments:
I realized more how important it is that I don't take my life, or those I care about, for granted.

I've made a silent pact with myself, that when I am in the company of those I really care to be with, I will show that I do and express it in a way that isn't flambouant but rather just brief and heart felt but nevertheless expressed. When I am visiting with people, I will endeavour to stay grounded in the moment of sharing with them and listening to them, instead of letting my mind wander to trivial or pointless worries of either the past or future, both of which I have no control over.

If I've learned anything from that tragic day, it is to remind myself repeatedly to enjoy this moment, to enjoy the company and thoughts of others and to express my feelings for them as often as I can but mainly to enjoy the daily process of living instead of "postponing" my thoughts and life to a date on the calendar.

Date: October 10, 2002
Name: Robb Sollows

Comments:
During this horrific time, immediately following the Septemeber 11 attacks, I was in Minneapolis, MN and was not able to be with my family. During one of many emotion filled calls that week my wife told me something of my two oldest sons, Matt, then 12, and Jeremy, 11, that will make me ever proud as a parent. When these two young men heard of the need of blood donors and of all the clinics being held they asked their mother if they could give this most precious gift. There was not much they could do, but they wanted to do this to feel as though they were helping.

Obviously, they were too young to be accepted as donors, but their desire to help people they didn't know made me feel proud to call them my sons.

Date: October 09, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
I have never been prouder to be a Newfoundlander as on 9/11. The kindness and generousity of the people is something that has always been known about Newfoundland. It is part of what helped to put us on the map. When I read of the out pouring of love and kindness showed to these strangers, my heart swelled and my eyes filled. I only wished I could have been there to help.

I met you as a stranger
I took you as a friend
Someday we'll meet in Heaven
Where friendship never ends

Date: October 09, 2002
Name: Beth Denman

Comments:
It was a horrific tragedy but has made the U.S.A. a martyr......again. The grieving process is a long one but the survivors, like any survivors of the dead should grieve in private and not via the media. All the terrorists have done is put the states in the limelight and attracted special attention to the country. There are many countries suffering from economic hardship. They all bear the same pain.

Date: October 06, 2002
Name: Jose R. Herrera MD

Comments:
September 11 has been a painful lesson for all of us. From my humble point of view, the inaction of President Bush with respect of Middle East, and the unbridled support to a radical like Ariel Sharon of Israel, for the whole year of 2000 - 2001 was the capital issue that precipitated the "punishment" by arabic people to selected US targets. In other words, the foreign policies of US gov are in part, may be big part, of the happening of this tragedy.
September 11 remind me of about another brutal historical event, it was also the fatidic date of yet another tragedy, the 30,000 people killed by general Pinochet in Chile in 1973 with the silent or cooperative support of US top rank officials. So history is not new, and we have to mourn over and over again our departed.

Date: October 05, 2002
Name: Rose

Comments:
Upon moving to Ontario after being born and raised in Newfoundland, I was so amazed that in the span of one day I could meet people from all over the world! What is more amazing however is the never fail reaction that I get from people when I tell them that I am from Newfoundland! It never fails to intrest people! I have often asked myself and others why is it so amazing that I come from Newfoundland? When I say that my neighbour is from Yugsolavia or my mother-in-law is from Italy they don't bat an eyelash but say Newfoundland and they are immediatly interested! I guess there really is something unique about Newfoundlanders and your article made me feel proud to be part of it!

Date: October 04, 2002
Name: Dorothy Broderick

Comments:
The enduring legacy of September 11th for me, is to always value your family and friends. I had two cousins who were in the area at the time. Both made it out okay, but we were quite scared for about 7 hours. My cousins were lucky to only have to walk home. Many didn't get that chance and too many families are still grieving for their lost loved ones. This was a world wide reminder that life and love are precious and should be cherished.

Date: October 03, 2002
Name: jacquie

Comments:
The article brought back the memeories of 9/11. The picture on the front cover as well. The lady with sunglasses hugging another looks like someone I was very close to when I lived in St. Johns for 5 years. And knowing the people I know there I would not be surprised if it was indeed her. They are a very giving but not always forgiving group of people. Living in Montreal now and at the time of 9/11 was tough. I felt so helpless and I reverted back to my times in St. Johns and missed it again. At least if I was still there I would have been able to jump in and give a helping hand feeling like I was able to actually do a little something, make a little difference. I salut all the people in Newfoundland that did what they did. It does not surprise me one little bit because that is just the way they are!

Date: October 01, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
Newfoundland just happened to be the place of landing, most other provinces would have done the same. As a Newfoundlander I have always said and will continue to believe people are kinder to strangers than their own this is especially true of Newfies. Newfoundlanders shouldn't think they are so unique, there are plenty of kind people in the world.

Date: October 01, 2002
Name: Leivi Sudak

Comments:
Whilst the civilised world was tossed into a turmoil from which it will not ever return. At the time that civilisation was stripped from the state of comfort that modern life afforded us all (we are from now on compelled to be vigilant; we have even become distrusful of strangers), September 11th was the day that I entered the most beautiful classroom in the 'University of Life'.
I am one of the privileged few who benefitted from the generosity and kind hospitality of the 'People of Gander and its Environs'. The example that they displayed has been with em every single day since, I feel that I can not tell their story enough.
To you, wonderful people, I say:
'Be proud of who you are and what you stand for and the example that you communicate to your children, the World needs your example. If we will ever get out of the madness of greed, murder and mayhem that dominates our world today, it will be through the example that you embody.
May G-d bless you all.
Leivi Sudak (Rabbi)

Date: September 30, 2002
Name: Name withheld

Comments:
I am fed to the teeth hearing about 911. Of course I empathize with the loss of life. American media NEVER covers Canadian events, disasters or whatever to the extent our media covers American events and that annoys me as well. Thank goodness I have a remote control for my t.v. that allows me to "click off" any coverage of that event or any others that put me into "overload" mode. Enough already.

Date: September 28, 2002
Name: Phyllis

Comments:
I was born and raised in Newfoundland, and I always known the generosity of my fellow Newfoundlanders. Last September 11th brought home to me just how much Newfoundlanders take for granted what they do out of the goodness of their hearts. Most people don't know that the acts of kindness that was shown to the stranded citizens of the United States is an everyday occurrence in my beloved province.

Date: September 27, 2002
Name: Natalie Gill-Carew

Comments:
The enduring legacy of September 11 for me would have to be my re-newed committment to abstaining from taking things for granted. Not "things" actually, but people. The people who surround me; my husband, children, parents, sisters, friends and even strangers. I have consciously tried to stop complaining or worrying about irrelavent occurances by reminding myself of how much worse my life could be. I strive to enjoy and appreciate every day because as September 11th proved, every day is a gift which could end in the blink of an eye.

Date: September 26, 2002
Name: Frances Brown

Comments:
There is no doubt that the happenings of Sept. 11 were very scarey. I am proud that Canadians rallied to help those who needed help. But that is the Canadian way, so it came as no surprise. I am sure that if the shoe were on the other foot, there would have been help for Canada from the US. But for heaven's sake, can't we now put that part of it to rest and let people get on with their lives? This is a big fault that the media has, they are like a dog worrying a bone, it goes on and on and on until we are all so fed up with any given subject that we lose all sympathy. Example, the Swissair disaster, Princess Diana, etc. My lasting legacy? I am old enough to remember what happened whenthe first A Bomb was dropped on Japan. Who did that? I am old enough to remember the very darkest days of WW2, the ships coming into Halifax harbour with half of their superstructure blown away, Dunkirk, Dieppe, the loss of schoolmates that was ongoing. The US never got into the mess until 1941. They never got into the prior war until 1917. But every TV documentary you ever see makes it seem as if they won the war single handedly. People ought to talk with our Vets, whose ranks sadly are fast diminishing, they will tell you how our Canadian troops were pushed into the front, because they were "only colonials" and therefore expendable. Then the Brits and the Yanks went in after the way was reasonably clear, and "won the war". I am neither anti-American, nor anti British, but let's give some credit where credit is due. It amazes me that so much hoopla can be generated over an incident in one city, and yet on Nov. 11th, the media will give a small bit of token space to a traumatic happening that lasted six years, and changed millions of lives and countries forever. For goodness sake, give over!!! Frances Brown

Date: September 25, 2002
Name: murgatroyd

Comments:
I am saddened always at the thought of those who died that day at all three sights, however the United States posturing and war mongering, and increasing patriotism are the last impressions in my mind. I will deal with my grief and sadness privately or with my own family.

Date: September 24, 2002
Name: Catherine Murphy

Comments:
I am not a bit surprised that we "Newfoundlanders" acted the way we did that September 11 day. For it is in our blood to be that way. We have seen and been through alot in Newfoundland, but we always had a smile on our face and always tried to look at things as "it could be worse", When the "worst" happened that day, it came out of us what has always been in us - to comfort those who need us and to offer a helping hand. That is the way we are here and always will be. We would never do it any other way. That is why we are called "A friendly province". We know what it is like to go through a hard time and that is why we like to help people in need. The plane people, when they arrived in Newfoundland for the first time that day really did find a NEW FOUND LAND....

Date: September 24, 2002
Name: Veronica Blum

Comments:
What has been the enduring legacy for me? Simple - that nothing ever really changes. There was endless rhetoric and platitudes about this changing the world forver ... but most have gone back to their lives and continue to do the things as they always did. There isn't more love in the world and definitely not more peace. So, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Date: September 23, 2002
Name: Monica Ruffell

Comments:
I think our legacy of Sept.11 should be that as Canadians we all stand proud for being there for our US cousins. We all should remember that fateful day and the lives lost so tragically.

Date: September 23, 2002
Name: Phil Carter

Comments:
This is the kind of stories we hear that make us proud to be Canadians and this is not the first time I have heard this about our eastern most province and I wish it was something that all of us were this hospitable all the time think of what a wonderful world this would be.

Date: September 22, 2002
Name: Dawnn Royer

Comments:
The enduring legacy of September 11th, has been, for me, how the kindness of complete strangers can come together. The way many Canadians and Americans have worked together over the past year, and still contiue to, I believe is the most amazing thing anyone could have hoped for after such a disaster. I believe it brought Canadians and Americans closer together. We put aside our differences, and helped each other not as countries, but as human beings. That is the best gift September 11th could have given North Americans.

Date: September 20, 2002
Name: Allan Newell

Comments:
On September 12, 2002, I found myself reliving the events of a year before and those that happened since then. Like alot of people, I watched what what happened and is still happening through the eyes of the media. To see how people from so many nations came to help those that needed help is a tribute to the goodness in the world. The following is a poem I wrote as my way of honouring all that were affected.

In Memory

In Memory of the loss of life
A friend, a stranger
A husband, a wife

In Memory of the ones who cared
To save a another
Their lives they spared

In Memory of the bravest souls
Police and Fire
The terrible toll

In Memory of the lives that changed
Of so much sorrow
Of so much pain

In Memory of those who lent a hand
From near and far
Across the land

In Memory of the strength they gave
To help another
A nation brave

In Memory of that fateful day
For peace to all
We stand and pray

Written by:
Allan Newell
09-11-2002