True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: December, 2024
Reg.#33385, Staff Sergeant F. G. 'Grant' Smith
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States were unprecedented in scale, impact, and loss of life, with 2,977 victims. Terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes, using them as weapons to target America's most iconic sites like the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In response, U.S. airspace was closed, forcing 38 planes flying over the Atlantic to land in Gander, Newfoundland. The small town, alongside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), played a crucial humanitarian role, offering shelter and support to thousands of stranded passengers.
Author Jim Defede’s memorable book, The Day the World Came to Town, tells the story of the compassion and solidarity shown by Gander’s residents during this crisis. Defede also writes about the now-retired RCMP Staff Sergeant Grant Smith, who was in his office near the Gander Airport on that September 11, 2001, morning.
Grant Smith, our December 2024 Vet of the Month, kindly agreed to share his experiences surrounding the September tragedy. In the following section, Smith tells his story in his own words, offering insights into his involvement and the impact of the event.
“In September 2001, while working in the Gander Drug Section, I received a call from Gander Airport Manager Jeff Tucker, who sounded stressed and requested to speak with the RCMP Staff Sergeant. I forwarded the call without assessing the urgency and continued with my regular duties. Shortly after, the order came to deploy all personnel to the Gander Airport to assist with the unexpected arrival of 38 international flights. Due to the urgency, there was no time to change from plain clothes into a uniform. I sensed that something serious was about to descend on Gander.
A Command Post was established at the airport, led by the Staff Sergeant from the Gander Detachment. My team of 7 RCMP members was tasked with searching passengers' carry-on luggage after they disembarked the planes. Passengers were kept on the planes until space was available for screening. Afterward, they were directed to an area with food, toiletries, and support from The Red Cross, along with a heavy RCMP presence. The passengers, visibly scared, struggled to distinguish between a uniformed RCMP officer and an armed soldier, which heightened their anxiety.
I realized a positive distraction was necessary to help ease the passengers' distress. Author Jim Defede wrote, “Smith wanted to do something special for the town’s unexpected guests. He [Smith] felt a deep sense of pride in the way the people of Gander and the surrounding communities had responded to this tragedy. And he was equally proud of the passengers for being so well-behaved and understanding. Everyone remained calm and level-headed. There wasn’t a single arrest the entire week.” (Defede, 2002)
I felt as if I could do more, so I went to the Command Post and informed Sgt. Caravan of the tense situation among the passengers. I suggested that having an RCMP officer in Red Serge in the airport lounge could calm the passengers. Caravan agreed with my assessment.
I returned home, put on my Red Serge, and returned to the airport, where my presence had the desired calming effect. Over the next five days, I became widely photographed, with people even lining up to take pictures. One touching moment involved a blind teenage girl from Germany, who, after feeling my uniform, smiled as if to say, "We're safe now."
Every member of the RCMP team understood their role and executed it with professionalism. Reinforcements were provided as needed from all detachments and sections within "B" Division. The Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Larry Warren, visited the site to ensure all available resources were utilized. I did not board the planes to guide passengers on procedures, and there were no language barriers encountered. While some children appeared fearful of the situation, their reactions were not severe.
I would describe the first day as busy and exhausting. I worked 20 hours before briefly returning home for two hours, only to go back to the airport. At home, I was greeted by my wife, who had brought passengers for showers and refreshments. I estimated that around 1,000 pictures were taken of me in Red Serge. Throughout the entire ordeal, food and water were consistently provided to the passengers, and there were no arrests or issues with passports. I can only express my pride in the RCMP team's efforts, and I noted there were no disappointments in the RCMP’s work.
I can recall a conversation I had with my father-in-law, Albert Cleal, from Marystown, NL, who, in his 80s, offered a simple yet profound perspective on Newfoundlanders' response to the passengers in need. When I expressed surprise at the admiration all the people had for the generosity shown by Gander, Cleal explained that Newfoundlanders were simply doing what they hoped others would do for them in a similar situation. This sentiment encapsulated the spirit of the whole event.
It cannot be understated how the Red Serge worn by RCMP Grant Smith had a calming effect on the passengers. Jim Defede wrote, “For those two days all eyes were on Smith as he strode through the airport. Like paparazzi catching a glimpse of Madonna, passengers ran to snap his picture…And so it went, one after another. Click, Click, Click. His picture and all the warmth and good spirit it represented, captured on film by hundreds of passengers, was a final memento of the life-altering detour.” (Defede, 2002). Staff Sergeant Grant Smith deserves a huge vote of appreciation from all of us.
This short story is dedicated to the people of Gander and to the RCMP in Newfoundland. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to retired RCMP Staff Sergeant Grant Smith for his memorable recollection of the events in Gander. His insight and experiences have left a lasting impression, and I truly appreciate the effort he took to share those important moments with me. His perspective is invaluable. Thanks again Grant for your RCMP service and for taking the time to reflect on those remarkable events.
Defede, J. (2002). The day the world came to town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland. HarperCollins Publishers.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
December 23rd, 2024
