On 9/11 2001, the US closed its airspace after unfathomable terrorist attacks. Flights bound for the US were forced to divert, with many opting to land in Canada. Under Operation Yellow Ribbon, the small town of Gander, NL and the surrounding communities accepted 38 planes.

Gander’s population nearly doubled for the next few days. In the face of this crisis, the townspeople came together and donated food, clothes, and shelter. What is remembered most often, is the emotional support the “plane people,” as they became known, received.

This Heritage Minute was made possible thanks to funding from Canadian Heritage, with in-kind support through film equipment from Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV (formerly William F. Whites). A massive thank-you to Elemental Pictures, consultants, cast, and crew!

Credits: Mayor: Rick Mercer American Guest: Petrina Bromley Host Woman: Jillian Rees-Brown Air Traffic Controller: Percy Farwell Librarian: Ruth Lawrence Local Girl: Freya Steffen Director: Deanne Foley Producer: Rob Blackie, Peter Blackie PM: Ruth Lawrence DOP: Duncan de Young

1st AD: Ife Alaba 1st AD: Mary Lewis 1st AC: Herb Gibbons 2nd AC: Matt Fitzgerald Sound Recordist: Marco Dölle Gaffer: Victor Tilley Editor: James Patrick Composer: Ian Foster Art Director: Jessica Waterman Wardrobe: Marie Sharpe Hair and Makeup: Haleigh McLean

PA: Sarah Baldwin PA: Melanie Moss PA: Greg Blumer PA: Meaghan Dicks BTS Video: Cody Westman BTS 2nd Cam: Kirk Stuckless Written by Latonia Hartery and Deanne Foley Produced by Elemental Pictures

This is who Canadians are. We will always be there to help.

Ah, my hometown. Gander did indeed land’er that day

Brought tears to my eyes. Very well done. ♥️🇨🇦

Through tragedy, one of the most miraculous feats in aviation history was born... operation yellow ribbon it wasn't just about clearing the sky it was also about ensuring the safety in such a chaotic mess the men and women of canada who did their duty that day are heros

🥹🥹🥹

How soon they forget!

@AilemaMM What a wonderful piece of propaganda for communist Canada. It even has Rick the retard in a supporting role.

My eyes well up, even now.

💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏

Well done!

Great casting…

Great job

Gander was an unsuitable location for the planes picked by NavCan as a sacrifice to terrorists instead of safer, better staffed locations such as Montreal or Toronto. They were not given refuge, they were imprisoned by failures of bureaucracy.

So... it's ok to say: "terrorist attack" now is it? 😏🙄

and now you're backstabbing us for London and Beijing. It makes us sad what's going to happen to you. Not very sad. But sad.

Trying to force 9/11 into Canadian culture is shameful Canadians know the Israelis (Epatein’s network) and the CIA orchestrated 9/11 Shame on you. Who do you work for?

That was pre Communism of Canada.

Nice!

Does Trump know this!

Airport lands planes. We're such Canadian heroes

This story became the basis for Broadway's @wecomefromaway, which was later filmed with the original cast! Phenomenal show, highly recommend. #ComeFromAway #WelcomeToTheRock

According to CBC this was not a terrorist attack⁉️