Jim Defede

This is NOT a book about the tragic events of September 11.

This IS a book about what happened that day and the days that followed those events. The book only touches briefly on 9/11, but mainly focuses on the planes diverted to and landing in Gander, Newfoundland. The stories of these people are complex, interesting and diverse. We have a family who adopted a little girl and were trying to get back home, a Hugo Boss executive who would NEVER sleep on the floor but did during his time in Gander, parents of a NYC firefighter awaiting word as to whether or not he is alive, and several animals.

It tells about how the stranded flights were not allowed to disembark right away and how some of the flight attendants gave carte blanche to the beverage carts on the planes while waiting days before they could leave the planes.

Most importantly, it tells the stories of all the townspeople of Gander, Newfoundland and how they embraced these newly-stranded and very scared people (dubbed the "plane people") by opening up their homes and their hearts to them, offering them the use of their shower, kitchen and homes. They donated towels and toiletries and offered to bring them to a store to buy new clothes because the luggage was still on the planes.

Definitely a MUST read.… (meer)


This is the remarkable true story of 9/11 when over 6,000 people found themselves stranded in Gander, Newfoundland when their planes were diverted from landing in the United States due to the terrorists' attacks. Gander was one of the Canadian towns that opened their hearts and homes to those stranded far from their destinations with news of the horror etched in their minds.

Jim Defede heightens the poignancy when he relates some of the individual stories of the people who found themselves in Gander and the stories of those who made them feel safe and welcome. The kindness and generosity of the citizens of Gander and other small towns provided solace and comfort in numerous ways.

If anyone ever doubts that there are so many people with a generosity of spirit, this is a long-lasting reminder. It is incredibly moving to read this small book and to then remember the way we all honored the horrors of 9/11 in the days following by our kindnesses to each other.… (meer)