Although we cats are grateful to have today's anniversary events presided over by a President who did not ignore the August 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Brief, we were searching for something to say about September 11 that wouldn't have already been said over, and over, and over again. It wasn't easy — although Vice President Biden, in a wonderful speech at the Pentagon today, came close.
Then we decided that since, as far as American media are concerned, the country of Canada does not exist, we would take this opportunity to salute the citizens of Gander, Newfoundland.
Nearly 40 planes on their way to the U.S. on 9/11 were forced to land at Gander when the FAA shut down America's airspace — stranding 6,600 scared and nervous passengers (two of whom lost a firefighter son at the World Trade Center that day). The people of Gander didn't hesitate. They opened their arms and welcomed those frightened strangers into their homes, forging friendships that still thrive 10 years later.
It's a great story. So in the midst of all the hand-wringing and excruciating public grief and the depressing analyses of the wasted decade since, we thought it would be nice to dwell on something uplifting for a change.
In the words of President Obama: "We remember with gratitude and affection how the people of Canada offered us the comfort of friendship and extraordinary assistance that day and in the following days by opening their airports, homes and hearts to us."
We cats PURR.
(PHOTO: CBC News)
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