'That day brought out the best of Nova Scotians': poignant 9/11 anniversary ceremony held at Halifax airport
A solemn and poignant ceremony was held at the Maritimes largest airport on Saturday, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, and recognizing the compassion and courage that Nova Scotians offered strangers during that difficult time.
After U.S. airspace was shut down following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, dozens of planes with thousands of passengers were diverted to Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
On Saturday afternoon, officials from Nova Scotia and the U.S. gather at Halifax Stanfield International Airport to remember the thousands of lives lost and shattered twenty years ago.
“I’m sure everyone remembers where they were when they heard about the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania,” said Joyce Carter, President and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority.
As the world tried to make sense of the horrific events unfolding in the United States on that day, Nova Scotians opened their hearts and homes to strangers.
Forty plans carrying about 7,000 passengers landed in Halifax after U.S. airspace was shut down.
“We watched senseless acts of violence that would changed our worlds together. It could have made us fearful and suspicious, but it did not. On the contrary, that day brought out the best of Nova Scotians.”
Churches and community centres opened their doors to travellers, and residents prepared hot meals, clothing and spare bedrooms for complete strangers.
The U.S. Deputy Consul General in Halifax says Nova Scotia’s courage and compassion did not go unnoticed on 9/11 and the days that followed.
“What happened in Halifax and all around Atlantic Canada on that Tuesday in 2001 provided the world with an example of how communities can care about and welcome strangers as if they were family,” said Daniel Bingham-Pankratz, U.S. Deputy Consul General in Halifax. “When they airport personnel here learned of what happened in New York, in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, they didn’t let fear stand in the way of safely getting 40 planes and thousands of passengers on the ground.”
Together, airport employees, red cross volunteer and Nova Scotians did their best to comfort the displaced passengers until the last diverted plane left Halifax Stanfield on Sept. 15.
“In some ways, 9/11 showed the worst instincts of mankind, and in some ways, it showed the best.”
Remembering a day that changed the world forever, and the world will never forget.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.