6 Days in Newfoundland: a Lafayette resident’s personal version of Come From Away
In the wake of tragedy, the human spirit often shines its brightest. This sentiment echoes profoundly in the narrative of Judi Hawkins, a Lafayette resident with a tale that mirrors the heartwarming saga of the hit Broadway musical, Come From Away. On September 11, 2001, amidst the chaos and uncertainty gripping the world, Judi and her husband, Colin, found themselves unexpectedly grounded in Gander, Newfoundland, a small Canadian town that would forever leave an indelible mark on their lives.
Originally hailing from Dayton, Indiana, Judi—along with her British husband Colin—were returning home from a family visit in London when their flight was diverted to Gander. Alongside nearly 7,000 other stranded passengers—affectionately referred to as “plane people”—they were thrust into a situation that would test their resilience and faith in humanity.
Slideshow: Judi Hawkins’ experiences in Newfoundland in the wake of 9/11
The couple resided in Lafayette, Indiana and were returning from a family visit in England on September 11, 2001 on United Airlines flight 929 from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare. An emergency was declared and all trans-Atlantic flights inbound for North America were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. Judi and Colin’s aircraft was heavy with fuel, which had to be dumped over the Atlantic Ocean before they could safely divert to Gander, Newfoundland.
The couple and their fellow passengers were held on the plane overnight before they were instructed to deplane without their checked bags. The entire flight along with crew were escorted to nearby Gambo with accommodations at the Salvation Army—not knowing how long they might be grounded in this tiny fishing village in the North Atlantic.
The essence of Newfoundland’s hospitality unfolded before Judi and her husband as she recounts six days filled with warmth, generosity, and camaraderie. From the moment they touched down on unfamiliar soil, the community of Gander and its neighboring towns rallied together to provide shelter, food, and comfort to their unexpected guests. In the face of adversity, strangers became friends, united by a shared experience and a collective determination to weather the storm together.
Interview with Judi Hawkins
6 Days in Newfoundland interview
The impact of Judi’s journey extends beyond her personal experience, as thousands of other passengers and their stories served as the inspiration for the upcoming Broadway musical Come From Away at Purdue University on April 3. Through their stories, audiences will have the opportunity to witness the transformative power of human connection and the extraordinary bonds forged in the face of adversity.
As we eagerly anticipate the West Lafayette premiere of Come From Away on April 3, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Friends of Convocations Advisory Board member Dawn Ogas for facilitating our connection with Judi via Elisabeth Green. Without Elisabeth’s outreach, we would not have been able to share Judi’s incredible story with you.
Special thanks are also due to Professor Liz Evans, Lecturer in the Brian Lamb School of Communication, and her students in the Broadcast Performance course for their dedication and commitment to capturing Judi’s narrative through film. Thank you to Dawn Ogas for connecting us to Judi’s friend, Elisabeth Green. Convos is so grateful for this introduction to Judi. Without Elisabeth’s outreach, we would not have been able to share Judi’s incredible story with you.
Books about the incredible story of 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
Judi Hawkins recommends the following books to delve keeping into the thousands of stories from Gander on 9/11.
Come From Away: Welcome to the Rock: An Inside Look at the Hit Musical
The Day the World Came to Town Updated Edition: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11
As Near to Heaven by Sea : A History of Newfoundland and Labrador