Key facts
- Gander, Canada, hosted nearly 7,000 passengers on 38 aircraft diverted after the 9/11 attacks.
- Residents opened their homes, schools, churches, and town halls to accommodate stranded travelers.
- Pharmacies provided free prescriptions, and locals organized concerts and bowling matches.
- The town's 9/11 lesson was about mutual support during crises, transcending political differences.
- Former Ambassador David Cohen stated Pete Hoekstra is traveling to Gander as Donald Trump's representative.
- Cohen noted that Hoekstra is aware of potential unhappiness regarding his attendance.
Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, became a symbol of international goodwill after the September 11, 2001, attacks when its residents opened their community to thousands of stranded airline passengers. Following the attacks, which halted North American air travel, Gander International Airport received 38 aircraft carrying nearly 7,000 people. With a population of about 10,000, the town mobilized its resources, with residents offering their homes, schools, churches, and town halls as temporary accommodations. Local pharmacies provided free prescriptions, and community members organized entertainment and essential services.
The town's response, known as Operation Yellow Ribbon, has been preserved as a testament to the relationship between Canadians and Americans. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invited Ivanka Trump, daughter of then-President Donald Trump, to attend the musical "Come From Away," which chronicles Gander's hospitality during the crisis, aiming to highlight the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship.
However, the current political climate may influence the reception of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, who is traveling to Gander as Trump's personal representative. Former U.S. Ambassador David Cohen, appointed by Joe Biden, defended Hoekstra's visit, stating that the ambassador is bound to extend thanks on behalf of Trump, despite potential public unhappiness. Cohen suggested that any anger should be directed at Trump rather than Hoekstra. The Gander town council has emphasized that the lesson from 9/11 was not about agreement but about recognizing shared humanity and mutual support during times of crisis, acknowledging that disagreements will occur but are secondary to fundamental human connection.