Twenty-five years ago, the United States experienced the worst attack on the nation since Pearl Harbor. We also observed extraordinary acts of bravery, kindness and resourcefulness. In the first minutes and hours of the attack, people stepped up and looked out for each other.
Once Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta issued the order to “bring all the planes down,” one plane after another landed in unexpected locations. In Kansas, up to 40 airliners and seven cargo planes landed at the Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (later renamed for President Eisenhower) within 30 minutes of the order. Locals welcomed 1,300 passengers with open arms. The community poured in offers of food, shelter and manpower.
Canada accepted 238 diverted flights. One lesser-known story involves Nova Scotia. At the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the Airport Authority counted 40 aircraft and 8,000 passengers and crew members. They received more planes that day than any other airport in the world. To make room for all the planes, dozens of jumbo jets lined up on a runway, wingtip to wingtip.
Then, like in Wichita, the community jumped into action as many passengers were stranded for days. Buses took passengers to temporary shelters set up in Halifax, with many residents opening their homes. People just wanted to help.
The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador hosted even more passengers. About 17,000 international travelers found refuge in Gander, Stephenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. John’s and other surrounding communities. Thanks to prior emergency training related to potential Y2K issues, the airport at Gander was prepared. Officials already knew how to park dozens of unexpected aircraft.
But the housing and feeding of thousands of people didn’t appear in anyone’s plan. For several days, Newfoundlanders gave stranded travelers places to sleep, food to eat and a friendly face during a time of great uncertainty. By Sept. 16, 2001, the last of the unexpected passengers in Canada resumed their journeys. The records from Canada, Wichita, and other far-flung places remain. On a horrible day in September, people stepped up when the moment called.
From Ground Zero and the heroic first responders to volunteers and communities scattered around the globe, we saw example after example of people choosing to look out for each other. Nothing will erase what was lost 25 years ago. We can take comfort in the knowledge that we won’t forget the sacrifices of that day. Nor will we forget that so many people, when needed, showed up to help without being asked. That’s worth remembering on this anniversary.
Rep. Britt Raybould represents District 34 (Madison County) in the Idaho House. You can contact her at braybould@house.idaho.gov.