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robertadsett@gmail.com oldmanhistory@gmail.com

Feeding the multitude

A gentle breeze and warm sunshine – a perfect late summer day. The balmy weather was a soothing antidote to the incomprehensible, diabolical activity that had seized New York, Washington and Pennsylvania in its icy, macabre, heartless grip. The natural conditions in Moncton were a harbinger of the warm, compassionate welcome the city would extend to 2000 stranded 9 11 passengers. A response from city workers, EMO, police, businesses and individual citizens that was at once intuitive and professionally organized. Among the profusion of volunteers was a four year old boy. His face glowing in anticipation of participating in a noble mission he tugged on his mother’s hand as he urged her through the doors of the jumbo, Fish, Fowl & Fries take out restaurant. His mother had told him about the hundreds of confused, frightened passengers arriving in the city and he wanted to help. When he laid the sum of his savings on the counter he had enough for a fish snack and 4 extra rolls. With the satisfaction that he had done his best he took his offering to the people at the coliseum organizing the efforts to feed the incoming stranded passengers. They did not want to take what amounted to the youngster’s live savings but he was resolute and they reluctantly accepted. Mature volunteers were wiping tears from their eyes as he left for home. As the crowd rolled in, so did the food. There were thousands of chicken pieces from Fish, Fowl, & Fries, cold cuts from the packing plant, rolls and bread from the bakeries and pies and pastries from individuals. There was pizza from the pizzerias, soft drinks and bottled water from the local distributor and gallons of soup from local hotels and the Salvation Army kitchen. There was all the food needed for the stranded passenger and food left over when they left. Hundreds of individuals and businesses and non-profit organizations played their part, but it all started with one little boy, 2 small pieces of fish and 5 small rolls.

still working

I am still working on a history of Moncton's response to 9 11. If you were involved in any way, either as a passenger or volunteer I would like to hear your story. In the meantime I will be posting some fictionalized vignettes of some of the activity in September 2001.v

Vieux Man History: Researching 9/11

Vieux Man History: Researching 9/11: My name is Robert Adsett, and I am an amateur historian researching a book on the response  in Moncton ,N.B. Canada to 9/11. ...

Researching 9/11

My name is Robert Adsett, and I am an amateur historian researching a book on the response  in Moncton ,N.B. Canada to 9/11.

If you were one of the passengers stranded in Moncton  that day I would like to hear your story.

You can comment below, or contact me directly HERE