Rock
Photo credit: Museum staff
Accession Number: T.2023.1.26
Dimensions: 6 in X 5 in X 1 in
Dimensions (Metric): 15.24 cm X 12.7 cm X 2.54 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 15.24 cm X 12.7 cm X 2.54 cm
Credit Line: Collection 9/11 Memorial Museum, Memorial Tribute Archive
Description
Painted rock left on the 9/11 Memorial by the Survivor Tree. The rock is painted orange with an image of the Twin Towers along with a drawing of the country of Newfoundland. Handwritten text on the front of the rock reads: "The Day We Opened Our Doors To The World | Come From Away | Sept. 11, 2001." Text on the back of the rock reads: “NL Rock Art | Keep or Rehide | Newfoundland will always remember | Donna Boone Chafe 2019.”
Painted rock left on the 9/11 Memorial by the Survivor Tree. The rock is painted orange with an image of the Twin Towers along with a drawing of the country of Newfoundland. Handwritten text on the front of the rock reads: "The Day We Opened Our Doors To The World | Come From Away | Sept. 11, 2001." Text on the back of the rock reads: “NL Rock Art | Keep or Rehide | Newfoundland will always remember | Donna Boone Chafe 2019.”
Historical Notes
As the terrorist attacks unfolded on the morning of September 11, U.S. airspace closed, and Canadian air traffic scrambled to land as many commercial flights as possible as soon as possible. The small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, received 38 planes. The town of about 10,000 people opened their homes and community centers to shelter the displaced travelers.
Greeting the “plane people” with warmth, locals provided meals, clean bedding, and hot showers. Schools, churches, and legion halls were converted into makeshift dormitories. Some residents even invited visitors to stay in their homes.
Area pharmacies filled prescriptions without cost, banks of free public telephones were installed so visitors could call home, and donations of toiletries, clothing, and food flowed in.
After United States airspace reopened on September 13, planes began to depart Gander. The “plane people” did not forget their time in Canada once they arrived at their final destinations. Passengers kept in touch with one another and their Newfoundland hosts by phone, made websites dedicated to their individual flights, and even traveled back to Gander for anniversaries of the attacks.
As the terrorist attacks unfolded on the morning of September 11, U.S. airspace closed, and Canadian air traffic scrambled to land as many commercial flights as possible as soon as possible. The small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, received 38 planes. The town of about 10,000 people opened their homes and community centers to shelter the displaced travelers.
Greeting the “plane people” with warmth, locals provided meals, clean bedding, and hot showers. Schools, churches, and legion halls were converted into makeshift dormitories. Some residents even invited visitors to stay in their homes.
Area pharmacies filled prescriptions without cost, banks of free public telephones were installed so visitors could call home, and donations of toiletries, clothing, and food flowed in.
After United States airspace reopened on September 13, planes began to depart Gander. The “plane people” did not forget their time in Canada once they arrived at their final destinations. Passengers kept in touch with one another and their Newfoundland hosts by phone, made websites dedicated to their individual flights, and even traveled back to Gander for anniversaries of the attacks.
