we will never forget.
i was working at the Solicitor General of Canada when it happened - SolGen (now PSCEPC) was responsible for the general security of Canadians at that time. our union employees were on strike for about a week at that time. we stood in line every morning that week as the union members let 3-4 people in to work every 20 mins or so.
and then someone saw the news and all of us were allowed into work. i didn't see the first plane hit...but i did see the second plane. and then all of the re-runs.
i worked with an amazing group of communications officers. we were short-staffed at the time but it didn't matter. we wrote speeches and speaking notes for our Solicitor General and Deputy Solicitor General and they were delivered in a timely fashion so that Canadians were told words of comfort during this trying ordeal.
we were also tasked with finding places to land over 600 planes as US air space was closed. it was very difficult but we managed.
one of our success stories can be found here.
please, even if you have already read this post, and i thank you if you have, go back and read it. it tells of a story that most people have never heard, about a place no one has ever heard of, and about the love that happened on that horrible day.
please read this post on the 14th anniversary. you will be glad to read it. i promise.
My little boy was born on 11th September 2011 and I watched Spielberg's documentary in the week running up to going into labour. As a hormonal pregnant woman I cried pretty much the whole show every night that week. There were some heartwarming stories told then and every time I read another instance of the goodness of people I think that terror can't possibly win with all these people in the world.
ReplyDeleteoh Kirsty - that must have been soo hard! but yes - there was much good that happened on that day and the days afterwards - there are still wonderful and good people in the world. terror will never win! xoxo
DeleteHey Gurlie,
ReplyDeleteThank you and your country for all it did that day. This is a very solemn day and even after 14 years words can not express the anger I have. And now a new anger of how complacent our government down here has become...so soon I feel they forget.
+1 and i would add to JUGM's last sentence..."and don't care"
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DeleteGurlie - i understand your anger and appreciate your thanks! we always try to stand with our american friends! sending much love, as always! xoxo
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ReplyDeleteCanada has always been a pretty good friend to us. Most of us appreciate the fact.
ReplyDeletewe try Harry! sometimes our political situation is such that we can't go to war somewhere with you, but as peacekeepers, we usually respond when america calls for our help. much love buddy! xoxo
DeleteInteresting post, from an angle that was new to me. thanks 4 sharing.
ReplyDeletejewlz - i am very glad that you liked the post and glad that you learned about the people of gander - they really went out of their way on that day and the days that followed!
DeleteWe appreciate the good neighbors to our north. I remember hearing about the people in a town I think was near Halifax that took in the passengers of the planes that landed at their airport and how they brought them home to their houses. They showed what good neighbors do in times of trouble. I don't listen to the Arizonians who complain about the slow drivin Canadian snowbirds...lol We were at home when it happened our tv never went off for a week. Two weeks later I was there with Red Cross working delivering meals to the people who were working at the site and doing the investigations. It was a very scary being in NYC at that time. Well on a happier note hows that puppy doing?
ReplyDeleteVictoria - thank you for your efforts at the time! i am sure that you are proud of the work that you did! and yes, halifax landed a bunch of planes as well, and then people from nearby communities came and picked up passengers to take to their homes.
Deleteheck - even we complain about slow drivin canadian snowbirds - bahahahahah!
that puppy is going to be huge when she grows into her paws and ears...she is doing really well. thank you for asking!
Thank you for this...
ReplyDeleteHugs to you both!
your very welcome! hugs back to both of you! xoxo
DeleteThanks for your help in our time of need. Someday we can perhaps return the favor though I hope there never is a need.
ReplyDeleteEd - you are very welcome. the US has always been a good friend to us...and we would never hesitate to ask for help from such a good political friend! sending much love! xoxo
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