Channel of Peace Quotes

“Americans are truly great at helping neighbors and strangers when there is a natural disaster. We need this same type of compassion year-round. Too often we let fear get in the way.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“When I first met David and Irene, none of us knew how timely the message of "Come From Away" would soon become. I think it's not a coincidence that the musical's appeal has grown at the same time as we've seen a resurgence of talk by people of influence in the public sphere that encourages people who fear or hate foreigners or people from different cultures. Civil wars, climate change, and religious conflicts have caused the world's refugee crisis to grow, and people are struggling with how to handle strangers in need arriving upon their doorsteps and at the borders.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“[From interviewee Mac Moss] A number of my teaching staff spoke French, one spoke Spanish, and one, with the aid of an electronic translator, communicated with a group that spoke Yugoslavian. Other than that we got by in English. Perhaps the language of caring spoke for us all.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“The commemorative events in Gander that I was part of exceeded what most American cities (especially small towns) were doing to make the 9/11 tenth anniversary. Perhaps Americans still didn't see anything good to celebrate. For America, the anniversary is a day of mourning. In Gander, it is a reminder of how they helped the world.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“The beauty of a grassroots movement like Pay It Forward 9/11 is that it takes on a life of its own. I was soon to find out that kindness spreads like wildfire and the heart of the Gander story was about to catch flame, this time set to music.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“Ball even tracked down Gander mayor Claude Elliott for the story. He said of the Gander 9/11 response, "We did the only thing we know how to do, which was to comfort them, console them, and show them some love.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“Two teams ran into each other at the local charity hospital in Austin. Both had the same idea to visit the maternity ward to support a new mother who was giving birth to a baby that day. The nurses at the hospital told both teams that there were two single mothers who had given birth that day. Both mothers were certain to need the money. One team gave a card and a crisp hundred-dollar bill. The other team purchased a hundred-dollar savings bond and wrote a card stating: "Because your baby is born on a day that will always be linked to a day of tragedy, we'd like you to have something positive you may share with the child in future years.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“We all found it was truly remarkable what everyone in this tiny town had done for us. We reflected on what it was that gave Ganderites their attitude of kindness to strangers. People told me that's just how they were raised. The people of Gander and all of Newfoundland have a deep sense of interconnectedness and compassion. They rely on each other, especially during the harsh winter months. It's not uncommon for someone to spend hours snow-blowing a neighbor's driveway before their own. The cold temperatures keep them indoors a lot, so entertaining guests for meals, drinking, and dancing in their homes is a way to be happy. I wished I could export some of that hospitality and kindness around the world. We've seen countless examples of people helping strangers after terrorist attacks and natural disasters, but why can't we treat each other this way on a regular basis?”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“world.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“are more the same than we are different. “We”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“silent retreat,”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“Supermarkets and fast-food restaurants donated all the food they could, and no one asked who was paying the bill.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“squashed the gay support group.”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11

“In the Bible, it’s written, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).”
― Kevin Tuerff, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11