1. Background, and Discussion/Written Response Questions

2. Biography Jim DeFede has been an award-winning journalist for sixteen years, first with the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, and then with the Miami New Times. His work has appeared in Talk, The New Republic, and Newsday. He is currently a metro columnist for the Miami Herald. His first book, “The Day The World Came To Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland,” was published in 2002 by HarperCollins and was recognized with a 2003 Christopher Award for its ability to “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”

5. During the week of 9/11, Gander held a huge party for any child celebrating their birthday that week, just one more diversion from the horrors of those days. (Town of Gander)

6. The Fire Hall Floor became a dormitory for stranded passengers. (Town of Gander)

7. When 6700 passengers arrived in Gander, townspeople immediately brought food to the Community Center to feed their guests. (Town of Gander)

8. To help keep children entertained, a local clown visited some of the temporary shelters housing 6700 passengers diverted by 9/11. (Town of Gander)

9. Food donations poured in to help those passengers stranded due to 9/11. Free food could be found even at the airport. (Town of Gander)

10. When 6700 people came to town unexpectedly due to 9/11, local families pitched into make sure everyone was well fed. (Town of Gander)

11. Stranded passengers could always count on fresh coffee cheerfully poured, while they waited to finally go home in the days after 9/11. (Town of Gander)

12. The local Gander phone company set up banks of free telephones so stranded passengers could stay in touch with loved ones back home following the 9/11 tragedy (Town of Gander)

13. Schools, fire stations and even church halls were converted into temporary dormitories when 6700 passengers were stranded in Gander by September 11th. (Town of Gander)

14. Huge amounts of homemade food was always available for passengers stranded in Gander by September 11th. (Town of Gander)

15. Research any passenger, flight attendant, or Gander citizen involved in this event. How were they changed by the situation? What were their feelings about the interactions between people involved? Provide biographical information Cite your source of information Summary of the source