We drove into Gander. This town has several claims. The area was chosen for an airport and building started in 1938. The area was picked because it was one of the furthest points in North America and closest to Europe. It was also a flat area, in a very hilly province. An airport was quite quickly built. As air travel to Europe became more possible, this was the refueling point. Many famous people stopped here during the refueling as well as thousands of travelers who were not so famous. The town grew quickly with all the support staff needed, in the war effort and then for the airline industry.
We made a visit to the Aviation Museum.
But the event that brings Gander close to the hearts of the world, and especially the United States, is what happened On September 11. As all planes near Canada and the United States had to be out of air space, Gander was the airport designated. Thirty eight jumbo jets landed in Gander. They were lined up like toys on the runway. Then the kind people of the town took these stranded travelers into their homes. They were fed, clothed and comforted. The Aviation Museum has a display and most prominent are the hundreds of letters from the travelers as well as from people around the world, praising the citizens, who, by the way, did not think they did anything special.
Gander no longer is supporting war needs. It is no longer a refueling point. But the town is still growing. Many Newfoundlanders are working in Alberta on oil rigs and they work two weeks and have two weeks off, so they come back to the area, accessible more easily because there is still the airport here. There are only three airports that I am aware of in Newfoundland.
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