Mayor Kelly praises community for compassion to 9/11 passengers

 

 (September 9, 2011) Halifax –Mayor Peter Kelly is paying tribute this weekend to the citizens of the Halifax Regional Municipality for the caring and compassionate way they accommodated thousands of stranded airline passengers in the aftermath of 9/11.

“As mayor, I was immensely proud of the way our emergency preparedness system rose to the challenge of 9/11 and I was humbled by the overwhelming response of residents and HRM staff to the crisis.”

Mayor Kelly will participate Sunday morning in a ceremony at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to mark the 10th anniversary of the terror assault on the United States. In the hours that followed the attack, 40 airliners carrying almost 9,000 passengers were diverted to the Halifax airport, more than to any other airport in Canada.

The mayor will note that scores of residents volunteered to work with HRM staff to care for the newcomers. Under the direction of the Emergency Management Organization, shelters were established around the community and food supplies and medical care was arranged, along with banks of telephones.

In addition, many HRM residents opened their homes to the passengers and made them feel part of the family during their enforced stay which, in some cases, stretched to several weeks.

“Lasting friendships were forged during those difficult days,” the mayor noted.

Mayor Kelly will also acknowledge the local business community, many of whose members came forward with a steady supply of food, clothing and other necessities for the passengers. In addition, he will acknowledge the contribution of various local non-profit organizations plus the Canadian Forces, whose personnel played a vital role.

“It was a magnificent effort by everyone,” said Mayor Kelly. “In those dark days faced by the world, the residents of HRM played a major role in keeping the lights of humanity burning.”

 

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Contact: Mayor Peter Kelly

490-4010