post_modern
12-01-04, 12:38 PM
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/12/01/bush-halifax-advance041201.html (http://)
Bush in Halifax: 'Thank you for your kindness'
Last Updated Wed, 01 Dec 2004 11:45:12 EST
HALIFAX - U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Halifax on Wednesday to thank Atlantic Canadians for opening their doors to stranded Americans after the Sept. 11 attacks three years ago.
FROM NOV. 30, 2004: Bush says Canada, U.S. 'standing together'
"I am really glad to be in Canada and I am really glad to be among friends," Bush told his audience at the Pier 21 museum on the Halifax waterfront, the building where hundreds of thousands of immigrants first stepped onto Canadian soil between 1928 and 1971.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the president said, "Canadians came to the aid of men and women and children who were worried and confused and had no place to sleep ... and you asked for nothing in return.
"Thank you for your kindness to Americans in an hour of need...
"Our two peoples are one family and always will be."
Prime Minister Paul Martin, many federal cabinet ministers and all four Atlantic premiers attended the event, along with more than 300 invited guests.
As he welcomed the president, Martin recounted stories of friendships formed between 33,000 passengers stranded in Canada in September of 2001 and their Canadian hosts.
He recalled how Americans rushed to help Nova Scotians in a similar way after the 1917 Halifax explosion.
And he bluntly said that the neighbouring countries are not at odds when it comes to protecting their citizens in the future.
"We are in a war against terrorism and we are in it together, Americans and Canadians," Martin said to applause from the crowd.
After United States closed its airspace in response to the crash of four jets that had been hijacked by al-Qaeda operatives, a total of 224 planes were diverted to Canada.
Most of them went to international airports in the Atlantic region.
Volunteers in places like Moncton, N.B.; Halifax, N.S.; and Gander, Nfld. immediately kicked into action, opening shelters and providing food and comfort.
Many of those who became instant hosts were invited to Wednesday's ceremony.
Cheryl Boyle travelled from Prince Edward Island to Halifax to meet Bush and receive his personal thanks.
In the days after the Sept. 11 tragedy, she baked 231 apple pies and sent them to firefighters in New York, who had lost hundreds of colleagues when the World Trade Center towers collapsed after two of the hijacked planes hit them.
"I'm really touched that I was remembered or thought about," she said. "I feel like it's a real honour."
***********
My wife (an American citizen) and I volunteered to open our home to stranded American travelers during the 9/11 crisis. Several thousand of the good people of Atlantic Canada had already beaten us to it.
Speaking as an Atlantic Canadian and a Nova Scotian to the Americans on this message board, I'd just like to say: "you're welcome". Although there will always be differences in the political philosophies of our countries, there's a true bond of friendship and goodwill between our people that transcends politics and ideologies.
Nova Scotians are grateful for the opportunity to have provided food, lodging and comfort to our stranded American friends during your darkest hour.
God bless.
Bush in Halifax: 'Thank you for your kindness'
Last Updated Wed, 01 Dec 2004 11:45:12 EST
HALIFAX - U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Halifax on Wednesday to thank Atlantic Canadians for opening their doors to stranded Americans after the Sept. 11 attacks three years ago.
FROM NOV. 30, 2004: Bush says Canada, U.S. 'standing together'
"I am really glad to be in Canada and I am really glad to be among friends," Bush told his audience at the Pier 21 museum on the Halifax waterfront, the building where hundreds of thousands of immigrants first stepped onto Canadian soil between 1928 and 1971.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the president said, "Canadians came to the aid of men and women and children who were worried and confused and had no place to sleep ... and you asked for nothing in return.
"Thank you for your kindness to Americans in an hour of need...
"Our two peoples are one family and always will be."
Prime Minister Paul Martin, many federal cabinet ministers and all four Atlantic premiers attended the event, along with more than 300 invited guests.
As he welcomed the president, Martin recounted stories of friendships formed between 33,000 passengers stranded in Canada in September of 2001 and their Canadian hosts.
He recalled how Americans rushed to help Nova Scotians in a similar way after the 1917 Halifax explosion.
And he bluntly said that the neighbouring countries are not at odds when it comes to protecting their citizens in the future.
"We are in a war against terrorism and we are in it together, Americans and Canadians," Martin said to applause from the crowd.
After United States closed its airspace in response to the crash of four jets that had been hijacked by al-Qaeda operatives, a total of 224 planes were diverted to Canada.
Most of them went to international airports in the Atlantic region.
Volunteers in places like Moncton, N.B.; Halifax, N.S.; and Gander, Nfld. immediately kicked into action, opening shelters and providing food and comfort.
Many of those who became instant hosts were invited to Wednesday's ceremony.
Cheryl Boyle travelled from Prince Edward Island to Halifax to meet Bush and receive his personal thanks.
In the days after the Sept. 11 tragedy, she baked 231 apple pies and sent them to firefighters in New York, who had lost hundreds of colleagues when the World Trade Center towers collapsed after two of the hijacked planes hit them.
"I'm really touched that I was remembered or thought about," she said. "I feel like it's a real honour."
***********
My wife (an American citizen) and I volunteered to open our home to stranded American travelers during the 9/11 crisis. Several thousand of the good people of Atlantic Canada had already beaten us to it.
Speaking as an Atlantic Canadian and a Nova Scotian to the Americans on this message board, I'd just like to say: "you're welcome". Although there will always be differences in the political philosophies of our countries, there's a true bond of friendship and goodwill between our people that transcends politics and ideologies.
Nova Scotians are grateful for the opportunity to have provided food, lodging and comfort to our stranded American friends during your darkest hour.
God bless.