September 11, 2001, will always be one of the darkest days in American history. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, according to the FBI.

Despite the devastation, stories of humanity and beauty persist. And the people of the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, highlight another one.

Following the initial airplane attacks in New York City that day (into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. and at 9:03 a.m. into the South Tower), the FAA worked quickly to shut down the national airspace in the United States by 9:45 a.m.

Across North America, people were stranded. And for those displaced in Gander—a total of 7,000 people from 38 planes—the care they were given was life-changing.

Known as Operation Yellow Ribbon, more than 250 planes were diverted to Canada, according to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Sue........

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