Multitudes are still coming from away to Gander, Nfld. — 25 years since 9/11 brought it to the world's attention.

As first responders in New York City embodied courage and sacrifice by searching perilous debris for survivors following the attacks that brought down the World Trade Center and claimed 2,977 lives, a small Newfoundland aviation town more than 2,400 kilometres away epitomized compassion and love for neighbours when the world needed light amid the darkness.

A community of 10,000 people rose as one to house, feed and clothe approximately 7,000 passengers and crew members from 38 commercial aircraft and four military flights diverted to Gander International Airport after the closure of American airspace.

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Pat Woodford, a Gander city councillor for nine years and member of the Knights of Columbus since 1988, told The Catholic Register how local folk might assume new faces in town come to watch the hit Broadway musical, Come From Away, inspired by the town’s heroism in the setting where it unfolded. That is partially true, but Ganderites soon come to learn that visitors are seeking something more profound.

“They tell me that ‘the show was one thing, but we come to experience the humanity and the faith that the people in Gander have, and the good deeds' — it's just extraordinary," said Woodford, who has called Gander home for over five decades.

Annette O’Rielly, a parishioner of the local St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for over 60 years, is a now-retired teacher who was in the middle of her 26-year tenure at Gander Academy when 9/11 happened. She experiences similar wonderment when speaking to those who come from away.

“They are always impacted to learn you were there, you were one of the people who helped,” said O’Rielly. “They're also very grateful and, I guess, very amazed at what the community was able to do and the genuine efforts that were made to help people (and) show the best side of humanity.”

Woodford, now retired from his career as an air traffic controller, was on duty in the early hours until 8:30 a.m. local time, 90 minutes ahead of New York City. He received a call from his wife Glenda upon returning home to turn on the news. The sights horrified and appalled him.

The man who also served in the Canadian Armed Forces for five years knew Gander would be greatly affected as the airport would be a natural landing place once the airspace was closed. He was determined to return to work that minute to provide aid, but he was encouraged to rest as his next scheduled shift would begin at midnight.

By the time he returned to the airport, all the aircraft had landed and people were sitting in these planes waiting to exit. He spoke to pilots, naturally experiencing worries and concerns, and during his break he lent the Red Cross assistance in the airport building as he had disaster management experience with the organization.

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He helped with registrations and met a pilot whom he spoke to earlier through radio, Beverly Bass, captain of American Airlines Flight 49 that was flying from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Bass asked for a rental car for her and her crew to get around town as they did not know how long they would be grounded, but Woodford informed her that she would probably not find a rental car in Gander.

“I said, ‘why don't you take the keys to my truck,' ” recollected Woodford. ‘“I have a brand-new truck by the door, and you can use it for as long as you need it. But when you're done, just give the key to security.’ She said, ‘you're crazy. Aren't you afraid I may steal your truck?’ I said, ‘well, I do live on an island. So where are you planning on going?’ Thus began a friendship between Beverly Bass and me.”

Woodford will see his friend Bass again on Sept. 9 when she returns to Gander for a visit. They remain in close touch.

On Sept. 11, and throughout the four days that followed, Woodford said his own “faith in humanity was restored” as brother Knights and local townsfolk — including essentially every parishioner from St. Joseph’s — showed up determined to help in whatever way possible.

Ganderites invited passengers into their homes and built lasting relationships. Woodford’s wife maintains a bond with the six guests who graced their home. The Knights converted their hall into a shelter, and Gander Academy classrooms were converted into sleeping quarters for over 700 people.

“It was about doing whatever you can to help,” said O’Rielly, who coordinated phone calls to loved ones, set up rides to residential homes so passengers staying at the school could take a shower, arranged activities for children and more.

She recalled how effusively grateful a woman was for the staff’s determined efforts to get her in touch with her father. Keep in mind that social media did not exist at the time and cell phone usage was not yet ubiquitous.

“She spoke to me, and she was so grateful and just didn't have the words really, she said, to express her thanks for what we were doing,” said O’Rielly. "It's just that you feel if the situation were reversed and you were the one needing the help, you would like to think that a kind, compassionate person would step up to help you as well.”

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On Sept. 12, the community will commemorate the tireless, compassionate service offered for thousands. A shining beacon of humanity and faith was lit by their actions, and lasting relationships were forged.

As the former longtime mayor Claude Elliot once famously said, “on the first day, we had 7,000 strangers. On the third day, we had 7,000 friends. And on the fifth day, we lost 7,000 family members.”