The Come From Away Story

 

If you've never seen Come From Away, it's based on the remarkable true story of what happened in Gander during the days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

As the attacks unfolded that morning, the United States made the unprecedented decision to close its airspace. Every aircraft already in the air and heading for the U.S. had to land immediately, but not on American soil. Canada launched Operation Yellow Ribbon, diverting hundreds of international flights to airports across the country. Because of its long runways and history as a major transatlantic refuelling stop, Gander International Airport became one of the primary destinations.

Within just a few hours, 38 wide-body aircraft landed in Gander carrying more than 6,600 passengers and nearly 500 crew members from almost 100 different countries. For a town of only about 10,000 people, it was an astonishing challenge. The population had suddenly grown by more than half, and no one knew whether the stranded travellers would be staying for a few hours or several days.

The passengers couldn't simply get off the planes. Many spent close to 24 hours sitting on the tarmac with little information, unable to contact their families. Meanwhile, the people of Gander were quietly preparing. Schools were turned into temporary dormitories. Churches and community halls became dining rooms and shelters. Local bus drivers even suspended a labour strike so they could transport passengers from the airport. Volunteers gathered thousands of blankets, pillows, towels, clothing, baby supplies, medications, and food—everything complete strangers might need.

When the passengers were finally allowed off the planes, they were welcomed not as inconveniences, but as guests. Residents cooked meals, opened their homes, did laundry, filled prescriptions, found toys for children, and cared for pets that had been travelling in aircraft cargo holds. They asked for nothing in return.

As the days went on, complete strangers became friends. Families invited passengers into their homes for showers and home-cooked meals. Local businesses donated whatever they could. Volunteers worked around the clock to make sure everyone had clean clothes, a comfortable place to sleep, and someone to talk to.

Many of the passengers had left home expecting an ordinary flight and suddenly found themselves stranded in a small Newfoundland town, worried about loved ones and unsure of what had happened. Phone lines were overwhelmed, and for many, it was hours before they were able to contact family members. The kindness they encountered in Gander helped ease some of that fear during one of the darkest weeks many of them would ever experience.

There are countless stories that came out of those five days. A local SPCA cared for nearly 200 animals that had been travelling in the cargo holds of the aircraft. Pharmacists replaced medications that passengers had packed in checked luggage. School children wrote welcome notes, and residents donated everything from toothbrushes and clothing to toys for children who had arrived with little more than the clothes they were wearing.

What began as an emergency became something much more. Lifelong friendships were formed. Weddings were attended years later. Families returned to Gander to visit the people who had cared for them, and reunions continue even today. Many still refer to themselves as the "plane people," and many Newfoundlanders still keep in touch with the guests they welcomed over two decades ago.

Their story became the bestselling book The Day the World Came to Town, and later the award-winning musical Come From Away, introducing millions of people around the world to the incredible generosity of this small Newfoundland town. It's a story that reminds us that even in the midst of tragedy, ordinary people are capable of extraordinary kindness.

If you’d like to know more of this story, you can check out this documentary.  There is also a full length documentary on the complete story called You Are Here: A Come From Away Story but I couldn’t find a link to it.

Watching Come From Away left such an impression on us that it became the spark for planning this entire trip. Of course, there were plenty of other places in Newfoundland we wanted to see, but visiting Gander was the one thing that started it all.

As we made our way from St. John's to Twillingate, we had planned to spend a few hours exploring Gander and visiting many of the places featured in the documentary.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas.

It wasn't just raining—it was, as Newfoundlanders would say, spilling rain. The steady downpour meant much of our exploring was done with umbrellas in hand and quick dashes between stops.

Our first stop was the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, which tells the story of Gander's rich aviation history. Long before 9/11, Gander was one of the world's busiest refuelling stops for transatlantic flights, thanks to its strategic location. The museum does an excellent job of explaining that history, but for many visitors, the most moving exhibit is the section dedicated to Operation Yellow Ribbon—the massive effort to safely divert and care for thousands of stranded airline passengers after September 11.

Photographs, personal stories, artifacts, and memorabilia help bring those extraordinary five days to life. Standing there reading about events that inspired the musical made everything feel much more real.

A piece of a steel beam from the World Trade Centre donated to the people of Gander

Outside Town Hall, we visited the Compassion Monument, a touching tribute to the kindness shown by the people of Gander during Operation Yellow Ribbon. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, compassion can shine through.

One thing I had really been looking forward to was going inside Town Hall. I'd read that there's a binder on display filled with letters and messages from some of the passengers who were stranded in Gander—notes of gratitude describing the incredible generosity they experienced during their unexpected stay.

Unfortunately, Town Hall was closed the day we visited, so that will have to wait for another trip.

As we drove through town, we also noticed several interpretive panels located at various sites connected to the events of 9/11. Each one tells another piece of Gander's story, helping visitors understand how an ordinary small town became known around the world for extraordinary kindness.

Even though the rain limited how much time we spent outside, I'm still so glad we made the stop.

I only wish the weather had cooperated a little more. I would have loved to wander longer, read every interpretive panel, and spend more time soaking in the history of this remarkable place.

After all, Gander wasn't just another stop on our Newfoundland itinerary.

It was the reason we came to Newfoundland in the first place.