'I was an American Refugee': One Man's Story of 9/11 in Newfoundland

On Sept. 11, 2001, the tiny town of Gander in Canada saw its population nearly double because of 6,500 unexpected visitors. Almost 40 transatlantic flights bound for New York City were diverted there when U.S airspace was closed after the terrorist attacks.

Kevin Tuerff was a passenger on one of those planes. His story, now memorialized in his new book called "Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11", is also the inspiration for the character 'Kevin T' in the current Broadway show "Come From Away."

Tuerff says the generosity of the people in Gander encouraged him to dedicate his life to kindness and openness to strangers.

"I don't think Canadians should have a trademark on kindness," Tuerff told WNYC's Jami Floyd. "I think in many ways 9/11 made us more fearful of the stranger, fearful of the immigrant, fearful of the refugee, and I don't think that's really who we are as Americans."

Tuerff recently moved to New York City from Austin, Texas and says he is looking forward to working with St. Francis Xavier Church to support refugee resettlement and immigrant advocacy.