I had the honor of spending the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in Gander.
During the formal ceremony, we heard an incredible speech by former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and later watched a special performance of Come From Away. But the most meaningful part was meeting and thanking the people in and around Gander.
Incredibly kind people like Linda Marsh.
She took in four “plane people,” gave up her own bed, and slept on a cot so her guests would have a comfortable place to stay. Decades later, she still keeps in touch with them, and they are now lifelong friends.
I know so many of us remember the iconic photos of the dozens and dozens of grounded planes in Gander and Halifax. I’m grateful to have had the chance to visit NAV CANADA operations in Gander.
Seeing firsthand the incredible efforts of the flight service specialists and air traffic controllers who cleared the skies and safely landed so many aircraft on 9/11 gave me a whole new level of appreciation for their expertise under unimaginable pressure.
These incredible people are the bright light in the face of so much darkness. I am deeply proud and grateful for everything they did then and do now.
