September 11

There is no dark and sinister reminder of the prayers of the people in Central Newfoundland has decided to celebrate instead.

They did not because of 9 / 11, but a reminder of friendship and humanity that has emerged here in the midst of such horror and fear.

Ten years ago, when the world was wrapped in the wake of 9 / 11 attacks, the inhabitants of this quiet town from surrounding rural villages and paid for comfort, friendliness and hospitality of the nearly 7,000 passengers, who were in trouble when their planes were forced to land in the Atlantic after the closure of U.S. airspace.

Thousands more were stranded in Canada from Vancouver to Toronto to Halifax.

But small communities around the Goose, with no resources major emergency, local residents came to save, instead of opening their homes, hearts and kitchens as well as time to volunteer at the eager crowd "people car" feel welcome and comfortable.

Brian Candow, a priest who officiated on Sunday at Gander a moving ceremony, but happy to remember the exceptional character of this province, in 9 / 11, sums up the way of confrontation of Newfoundland that many feel at this time.

"We are proud of what we clumsily done that day, and I sincerely hope not to do it again," he said.

"Here in Gander and the surrounding areas, we had a God given the chance to do something other than just watch (the tragedy in New York and Washington)," said Candow.

"When the world came to Gander, that day, we had the privilege of doing what we believe all people are put on earth to do -. Love your neighbor as yourself"

Weekend of people celebrated here: the 9 / 11 concerts, and the breakfasts, which platefuls baked beans, and Bologna, Newfoundland base, offering a crowd happy to dozens of American and European tourists - a former Air people, who had returned for 10 years to pay the kindness of their hosts once.

Among the visitors were voting Monica Burke, an emergency telephone operator from Seattle who stole the home of Ireland on 9 / 11, and got shelter in the house of Gander Beulah Cooper. Over the past 10 years, the two formed a lasting friendship.

"I went back to the anniversary, because I wanted to Beulah and others here will know that people like me to remember what you did. And maybe you do not think that a big problem, but some of us do.

"It 'a kind of strange dichotomy that has existed since 9 / 11, I know all these terrible things happened and a lot of people have died, and my country was attacked. But the truth is that I do not see Beulah. I did end up in a place where I participated and I was shown the love and comfort. Then something terrible happened, but there was almost like a bubble that protects us, and we are isolated. "

Mr. Cooper: ... "We are a happy occasion recall the tragedy, of course, but we were on hand to help Monica and the others I've known from that time were unknown 10 years ago, and now are friends for life ".

Nick and Diane Marson, of Houston, also referred to Gander for the anniversary this weekend. Nick, an Englishman, and Diane, a Texan, were stranded passengers met at a community shelter in the nearby town of Gambo, NL took pity, married and honeymoon in Gambo in 2002.

"We felt it was important to return this year to reconnect with the people," Diane said on Sunday. "We wanted to see our friends in Gambo, but we also wanted to thank all the people of this region for what he did for us 10 years ago."

Many of those who helped the people of the planes on 9 / 11 are embarrassed by the attention and thanks. Gander has long been the Mayor Claude Elliott said he felt unworthy to Washington last week to receive an award for his role in the city 11/09.

After all, a way to Gander had been real victims were.

"I wondered why I was there at the ceremony," he said, "But then some of the families of the victims came up to me afterwards to thank me for what we did.

"The truth is that there is no need to thank. The smiles on the faces of the passengers to stay Gander 10 years ago, was all the thanks we need."

Yet crammed US Ambassador David Jacobson, who attended Sunday's ceremony to thank and praise of Newfoundland and across Canada.

"In a moment of severe anxiety and confusion, could not the Government of Canada or persons in Canada, knows for sure if they were appealing on their land, an aircraft that can be used as a weapon, a plane terrorists on board.

"But do not hold back. You've got air, you took the risk, you are happy with everything. The same was true across Canada, where the results of the air fled from towns and cities.

Jacobson was a special last words of the people in this area.

"The day when some tried to strike at the heart of what it means to be human, he said with humor, compassion and good faith in the goodness of people. They were the best of us.

"Ten years ago the world of the greatness thrust on the people of this remarkable area of ​​Canada. And that the U.S. population are eternally grateful. "

At the same time in other cities of Canada also celebrated 9 / 11 on Sunday.

In Toronto, a moment of silence was observed to honor the victims before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays game against the Baltimore Orioles.

In hundreds of Ottawa, including former Prime Minister Jean Chretien and other politicians and dignitaries gathered under a blue sky with a concert at the National Arts Centre.

With Chrétien, Minister John Baird, the NDP leader intermediate, Nycole Turmel, interim Liberal leader Bob Rae, Chief of Staff General Walter Natynczyk and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, the Foreign Ministry were among dignitaries gathered.

Later Sunday, a small crowd gathered in beech National Cemetery memorial service, while the Parliament Hill, hundreds gathered in the annual Memorial ceremony, Canadian firefighters.

Montreal, Quebec Premier Jean Charest has marked the anniversary by announcing a new plaque is the city's World Trade Centre.

Company, Scott Boswell, Deputy U.S. Consul General in Montreal, Charest told a group of about 50 people, that the attacks were unprecedented traumatic event that changed the world.

"It was so shocking that we all remember where we were when we heard the news," said Charest. "For the first time the terror that made headlines in other places, suddenly almost got here, our neighbors and friends."

In Quebec, the flag in Quebec's legislature is flying at half mast on Sunday in memory of those who died 10 years ago.