Last week, I flew home from Toronto to Kelowna on Air Canada Flight 195. As a seasoned traveler, I thought this journey would be just another routine trip. Little did I know, it would turn out to be one of the most enjoyable, hilarious, and meaningful moments of my life. It was my first experience of flying with heroes.
When I boarded the plane and found my seat, I quickly realized I was one of the few passengers who wasn’t from Newfoundland. The air was alive with the rich, lilting melodies of Newfoundland accents, punctuated by bursts of hearty laughter and animated conversations. The energy was infectious.
Curious, I turned to a woman two seats away and asked, “What takes you all to Kelowna?” Her face lit up with pride as she said, “We’re all going to the Brier! To the Canadian Curling Championship!”
I followed up, “Are you competing?”
“No,” she replied with a laugh, “we’re all fans! We’re going to support our defending world champion, Brad Gushue from Newfoundland.”
“It looks like all of Newfoundland is here!” I joked. “Did you leave anyone back home?” That comment sent a wave of laughter rippling through the next three rows as everyone tuned in to our conversation.
I continued, “You know, I think Newfoundlanders are some of the most fun and friendly people in the world.” By now, at least five rows of fans were leaning forward, eager to hear more.
“I’ve had many friends from Newfoundland,” I said. “I almost feel like I’m from there, but I’m not, of course. I’m ‘from away.’”
At that, the woman’s expression turned serious. She tilted her head and asked, “Do you know what that means?”
I nodded. “Yes, I do. ‘From away’ is the local expression for someone who is NOT from Newfoundland. But that phrase took on worldwide significance on 9/11.”
She leaned in, her curiosity evident. “And what do you think happened on 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland?”
You could hear a pin drop. Every passenger around us leaned in, hanging on to my next words.
I explained, “When the twin towers were attacked, every plane in U.S. airspace was ordered to land at the nearest airport as soon as possible. Canada opened its airports to U.S. flights, especially the tiny village of Gander, Newfoundland, with its surprisingly large airport. Gander received 38 planes and roughly 7,000 passengers, nearly doubling the town’s population overnight. With no warning and no hotels available, the townspeople quickly took action. The first arrivals were taken to local schools and the hockey arena. Compassionate neighbours provided stranded passengers with home-cooked meals, while many generous residents opened their homes, even entrusting guests with house keys.”
I paused, letting the weight of the story settle. Then I continued, “The inspiring story of Gander’s generosity later became known worldwide and inspired the award-winning Broadway musical, Come From Away. It’s an incredible testament to human kindness and community in the face of crisis.”
The extraordinary response of Gander during the 9/11 tragedy showcased how kindness and solidarity can turn strangers into lifelong friends. The willingness of the Gander community to open their homes and hearts to those in need stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit. It reminds us that in the darkest moments, there is always hope, and we are never truly alone. Help often comes from the most unexpected places and people, reinforcing the belief that even in adversity, we can find strength and connection, even if we’re “from away.”
Thank you to my new friends from Newfoundland for being the friendliest, most generous, and kindest people in the world. I’ll never forget you and the day I flew with heroes.
Dr. Mark DeVolder is a Top Change Management & Transformation Expert, Award Winning Motivational Keynote Speaker Empowering Confidence through Change. Mark can teach you how to change, anticipate business trends and accelerate future-proof transformation. He’s done it before with industry leaders like Qatar Petroleum, PepsiCo, Royal Bank of Canada and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
