posted 09-12- 11:37 PM               

Over 33,000 people were stranded when their flights were diverted to Canada. Red Cross centers were set up, Churches opened their doors, hotels that had no rooms left set up cots so people would have a place to stay.

The Canadian Red Cross said they were overwhelmed by help and supplies. One director of a shelter said, "Whatever we want or need, we just have to say it and it's here within 5 minutes." Stores and restaurants brought food. One group brought toys for the stranded kids. 4,000 families opened their homes to stranded travelers in just one city.

The Americans they interviewed kept saying things like "the people are incredible, they are so thoughtful" and "We've been overwhelmed with kindness".

The last part of the report showed Canadians placing flowers in the fence of the US Embassy, many of them with tears streaming down their cheeks. Hundreds of flowers were already there, and more people were showing up.

I was floored when I saw this. Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and your sympathy. These are images I'll never forget.

posted 09-13- 12:30 AM               

Not that I was able to do anything personally, but your welcome.

On behalf of all of Canada We are glad to help out!

I don't pray but I do feel for the people that lost loved ones and the country as a whole.

posted 09-13- 12:45 AM               

Reading this choaked me up pretty bad. This is having a huge impact here, some offices are still closed, police are out in force, everyone is jumpy. My mother told me about how scared she was when two low flying commercial planes (767/757 types) buzzed close overhead, this was before the total no-fly-zone was lifted for repatriation purposes (it turned out they were humanitarian flights although the air force scrambled to intercept them at first). Among my friends there are varying degrees of shock, numbness, sadness and anger. At school there is talk of war, and people are being very introspective - many are thinking about joining up. Everyone is praying, for peace, for the victims, and for the living. Many people have connections there - I have to say I immediately feared for the safety of those people from our community who I knew were in the area and were at risk. A lot of people have family or work connections to the US and in particular NY and Washington so it has hit very hard.

I personally can't help but think of the many ways this could have been prevented. Talking with you guys here, and with one American in particular via email, has been very therapeutic. At least people in Manhattan can go shovel up the rubble or help rescue people. All we can do here for now is watch in horror or help out in ways like Da Jug mentionned above. For those things to be noticed and appreciated is - I don't know what to say, other than thank you.

Werner

posted 09-13- 01:15 AM               

It really is a world filled with great people - what is sad is that they seldom get noticed until tragedy strikes. We, the USA, are very lucky to have the neighbors we do, both North and South, and the true friends around the world. Thanks all of you.

posted 09-13- 08:03 AM               

I recall when Iran held a bunch of our people hostage, and Canada pulled a fast one, at Canadian risk, to get our people out.

The Canadian military people I've met have been first-rate, highly professional.

My grandfather immigrated from Prince Edward Island to Aroostook County, Maine. I used to have a picture taken when I was a kid on vacation, standing by the sign into the PEI town of Wilmot... we even spent the night there.

The United States is truly fortunate to have Canada right next door!

V/R,

posted 09-13- 01:30 PM               

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