American caterers pay tribute to Gander

Canadian Press

[albertabound]

American caterers pay tribute to Gander

Canadian Press

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Gander, Nfld. — Dan and Teresa Seeley have never fed more than 500 people through their small catering business in Syracuse, N.Y.

On Saturday, they put on a spread for a crowd of between 3,000 to 4,000 grateful residents of Gander and area.

The outdoor picnic was in recognition of the Newfoundland town's role in hosting about 6,500 stranded airline passengers following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States two years ago.

Sounding emotionally drained but satisfied, Dan Seeley said the event was everything he expected.

“People came out in droves. It was packed,” he said in a telephone interview late Saturday.

“It was emotional for everybody. We all had a good laugh. We all had a good cry.”

Dubbed Gratitude for Gander, Mr. Seeley came up with the idea after watching an ABC TV news special in August 2002.

Although he wasn't among those diverted to Gander, he spent the last 13 months raising $60,000, often sacrificing time with his family and business in the process.

Mr. Seeley said he was “mesmerized” by the story and wanted to say thanks on behalf of all Americans.

He also planned the event to coincide with the 12th anniversary of his marriage to Teresa, also 36.

Almost 40 commercial jets were rerouted to Gander — and dozens more to airports in St. John's, Stephenville and Happy Valley-Goose Bay — after hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of local people pledged time, money, goods and services to care for what became known as the “plane people.”

About 15 volunteers, several of whom were among those rerouted to Gander, accompanied the Seeleys for the Newfoundland event.

They came prepared with enough hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and cake to feed 10,000, but the turnout was less than half of what they expected.

[Mfkmmof4]

10 of my family members ended up in Gander after 9/11 and I will be forever grateful at how they were taken care of by those wonderful people.

[spectre]

Nice.

[headsonpikes]

'Children of a common mother' bump.

[Modernman]

Bumper sticker seen on an 18-wheeler with Alberta plates: "Friends don't let friends fight alone- God bless America."

Wish the Canadian government saw things that way...

[albertabound]

25% 0f the town population showed up.

[Alberta's Child]

If I remember correctly, Al Gore was one of those folks who landed in Gander on 9/11.

I wouldn't have imagined that his circumstances would have changed so dramatically. In less than nine months, he went from Vice President of the United States to flying coach on a trans-Atlantic flight to France.

[pa_dweller]

Wasn't there a controversial airplane crash in Gander years ago (I think under Clinton) that burned a lot of our soldiers to death on the runway?

Yes, see Gander, the untold story

[Mears]

I remember the TV program about Gander and it was a real "feel good" story.

The logistics of feeding and housing all those stranded airline passengers was done quickly and efficiently.It is an amazing feat.

[OldFriend]

The accommodation of all those strangers was truly a labor of love. We thank them for the heart they showed in such trying circumstances.

[Mfkmmof4]

It was awesome to listen to my brothers talk of how they were treated. People opened up their homes for showers to strangers.

The passengers sat in planes for hours before being able to leave the planes. Some did not know why they were on the ground until the planes were empties.

Additionally, there was a bus strike and the drivers came off strike to bus the passengers to the schools. What a good people!

[OldFriend]

It is my understanding the the military is closing their base in Gander. If so there will be much hardship in that community.

If anyone knows about the base closing, would they please post that info and perhaps freepers can help the families there.