The town of Gander is marking the 21st anniversary of 9/11 with a series of events this weekend.
Gander famously played host to thousands of stranded airline passengers whose flights had to suddenly divert and land in this province when US airspace was closed following terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon.
The scene at Gander airport, September 11, 2001. Image courtesy the Gander Airport Historical Society
The outpouring of generosity shown by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, exemplified by what happened in Gander, is the subject of the award-winning musical Come From Away.
The town is hosting a food drive today from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park for the Gander and Area Food Bank and the Salvation Army. The food drive is being held in partnership with Come From Away and Pay it Forward 9/11.
In the meantime, a special event is planned for this evening at Evangel Pentecostal Church in Gander to allow people to tell their stories about the days surrounding 9/11. Mayor Percy Farwell says “Untold Stories Too” is taking place at 7:00.
He says while Come From Away tells some of the stories from that extraordinary time, it doesn’t tell them all and last year’s Untold Stories event proved such a hit they decided to continue it this year. They’re inviting people to come out and tell some of their own stories.
A memorial service is being held tomorrow at 4:00 at the Pentecostal Church which will be live-streamed on Rogers.
