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DBE member Jackie from Nightingales Chapter in Texas wrote me about her experiences:
My husband and I were returning to the USA from London when our plane was diverted to Gander in Newfoundland, Canada. We had to sleep on the plane as there were so many other flights in the same position as ourselves, and the sheer logistics of getting us all off in a timely manner was near to impossible.
Eventually we were allowed to disembark around 1.00p.m. the next day and taken by school buses to a small community 25 miles from the airport. The local church was made available to us and volunteers made us welcome and gave us a hot meal.
Army cots had been brought in for our sleeping accommodation, but in our case were not needed as a wonderful local couple took pity and 'adopted' us. They took us to their home where we were able to shower and have 'proper' beds. Each day we were taken back to the hall where, together with our Canadian hosts, watched television and wept at the senseless carnage depicted on the screen.
Eventually on Saturday the 15th we got word that buses were on their way to take us back to the airport. There were many tears and hugs shared with our wonderful Canadian 'saviours' and we found it difficult to put into words our gratitude for their overwhelming kindness and generosity. They told us that they knew if the position had been reversed America would have done the same for them - how true!
Upon boarding our aircraft we were greeted with hugs from the crew and told that we would be informed when we crossed into American airspace - and they certainly did inform us! The crew came on the speaker system and sang the American National Anthem to rousing cheers and many tears from the passengers.
Never were weary travelers more delighted to reach home! It is an experience than neither my husband and I will ever forget. We made so many friends, both our flying companions and our generous Canadian hosts. The terrorist outrage that occurred last Tuesday September 11th, has done so much to bring people of all nations together than anything in history. We will never take for granted those things that we hold dear, family, friends and the freedom that we enjoy in this great nation we now call home, as they can be taken from us in an instant as witnessed last week.
Perhaps you can pass this on, as I felt people should know that in the midst of such terrible evil, there is so much goodness to be seen, and we are not alone.
Thank you, Jackie - for sharing your experience with us all.
A new friend from Sydney, Australia writes:
I would like to convey to you the heartfelt sorrow that my family, myself and all our friends here in Sydney Australia feel for all the American people at this horrific time. No words can really describe how we feel at this sad, sad, moment not just for Americans everywhere, but for the world as a whole that such a despicable act could occur.
I am from Liverpool, UK and my dad was on the liners that criss-crossed the Atlantic between Liverpool and New York so I have a great affiliation with New York and New Yorkers, even more so than where I live now here in Sydney. I am sure that the hearts of all Merseysiders would have gone out to you. At the Everton - Liverpool game at Goodison Park on Saturday the Stars & Stripes was laid on the pitch next to a Union Jack, wreaths laid, and then 2 minutes silence. I believe the ground was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Best wishes to you and all your family
God bless America
This e-mail is from someone I have never met - a great example of how the whole world is uniting in their reactions to this tragedy.
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