Women Stranded on 9/11 Describe Reunion

Aug. 1 -- Two New Jersey women, Sue Riccardelli and Maureen Murray, were among thousands of air passengers stranded in the small Newfoundland town of Gander when air traffic shut down on Sept. 11. They explain, in their own words, why they returned in July for a reunion with the townspeople who showed them so much kindness.

Before Sept. 11, the small town of Gander in Newfoundland was only a dot on the map to us. But that day it became a safe haven for us and thousands of other air passengers stranded by the shutdown of air traffic.

The day we left the town, on the easternmost edge of North America, we knew we would one day return.

As we started to plan our return trip, many people asked, "Why would you travel all the way back to Gander? Isn't it far? Isn't it a difficult place to get to?" Our answer was: Not if your heart keeps telling you to go and not if there isn't a day when you don't think about the people you met and the incredible experience you had there.

While we still feel so angry and sad about what brought us to Gander the first time, we both feel very fortunate to have had the experience of being stranded there. Deep feelings of gratitude, love and appreciation for the people of Gander overshadow the terror of those dark days in September. How could we not go back to visit the folks who sheltered us and kept us safe from the fierce storm of terror that was raining down on our country?

In our hearts was the incredible need to visit our instant caretakers to say thank you. We felt very driven to do this, knowing that it would give us some closure, or perhaps close the circle on this incredible journey into the human spirit. We wanted to thank them for providing us with a safe place when all we wanted to do was get home. To thank them for three hot meals a day and the sleeping bag and pillow. To thank them for the friendship, the warm smiles, and the neverending support. The list of things to be thankful for goes on.

Returning to Gander would also be an opportunity to experience the beauty of the land and enjoy the people without the stress and trauma that accompanied our first "accidental" visit. What was life like for our new friends? How were their lives impacted by the friendly invasion of visitors from around the globe? Did they truly understand the magnitude of their good deeds? We were ever so curious to hear.