On September 11, 2001, the small Canadian town of Gander, located on the island of Newfoundland, became an unexpected haven for 7,000 stranded passengers and crew members from 38 international flights. After the U.S. closed its airspace following the terrorist attacks, Gander’s strategic location made it an ideal place for these flights to land. The town, with a population of about 12,000, saw its numbers nearly double during the five-day period as residents opened their homes and community spaces to accommodate the stranded travelers, who became known as the "plane people." At the time, Gander’s mayor, Claude Elliott, admitted there was no plan in place for such an event. As it became clear that the flights would not be leaving soon, the town declared a state of emergency and worked quickly to provide shelter and support. Churches, schools, and even the local hockey rink were converted into temporary shelters. The Royal Canadian Legion in Gander housed 67 people from an Aer Lingus flight, and local volunteer Beulah Cooper played a key role by providing food, helping passengers make phone calls, and offering her home as a place to stay. The kindness and solidarity shown by Gander’s residents inspired the Broadway musical Come From Away, which premiered in 2017. The show tells the heartwarming story of how the town came together to help the stranded travelers. Although former Mayor Elliott was initially skeptical that the story would translate well into a musical, Come From Away went on to win a Tony Award and has since toured globally. Elliott has seen the show 139 times across six countries. Recently, Come From Away returned to Gander with a professional production staged at the local arts center. Actor Peter Halley, from nearby St. John's, portrays Mayor Elliott in the Gander production. The title of the musical refers to visitors to Newfoundland, as the phrase "Come From Away" is commonly used to describe those who come to the province. The town’s aviation museum features an exhibit on the September 11 events, including thank-you notes from grateful passengers and metal beams from the Twin Towers sent to Gander. The Royal Canadian Legion continues to host "screech-ins" for tourists, a tradition where visitors can become honorary Newfoundlanders by drinking a strong rum shot and kissing a cod fish. Beulah Cooper often helps with these events and has become a local hero for her role during the crisis.