Tuesday, 9/11 - Aboard Delta 15 over the Atlantic (Frankfurt to Atlanta).

Captain Michael Sweeney advises equipment problem; will land at Gander, Newfoundland, for repair; too heavy to land, must dump 30,000# fuel.

Plane lands. Captain apologizes for ruse — equipment okay but borders to U.S. closed; air space controlled by military. Plane on tarmac 24 hours; Captain monitors BBC and continually advises of situation in U.S.

Wednesday, 9/12 - Passengers deplane/Trip to Lewisporte

Canadian, Newfoundland, Lewisporte and American flags at half-staff. Finally see the horror of 9/11 on TV. Atmosphere SURREAL. Everything provided—food, shelter, telephones, cable TV—NO CHARGE!!  Extraordinary people, those “Newfies.”

Friday, 9/14 - Leave Lewisporte/Gander; Fly to Atlanta & Columbus

Must leave Lewisporte! Everyone hugging and crying — passengers and “Newfies.” So good to be going home, but so sad to leave Newfoundland!

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10:55 a.m. (EST)—Heading to Atlanta. How to thank Lewisporte? Establish a scholarship? Captain Sweeney permits me to use PA system to speak to passengers. Pledge sheets circulated and collected during descent into Atlanta; $15,000 pledged.

4:20 p.m. (EST)---Touch down! Delta 15 second international flight into Atlanta? Ground crews waving American flags and giving us “thumbs up.” International Terminal like “Twilight Zone”—Delta and Immigration staff only! More hugs, tears, American flags, signs and voices crying “WELCOME HOME!”.

Saturday, 9/15 - 2:15 a.m - Home at Last!!

Touch down Columbus! My husband Ronald and sister Sharon are waiting with smiles and tears! How good it is to see and to touch them again!!

Memories of the past several days will be with me forever: the genuine compassion, care and love given so freely to perfect strangers by the gentle people of Newfoundland. Never will my life be the same--I am a far better person for having experienced 9/11. I am truly blessed!