On our way from viewing icebergs in Twillingate to visiting the colourful houses of St. John’s, we stopped for a day in Gander to visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, the site of the Arrow Air disaster with its Silent Witness Memorial, and the North Atlantic Aviation Museum and its 9/11 exhibit. We finished the day with a drive through Terra Nova National Park.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery is the final resting place of 6,395 souls who gave their lives in Canada during World War II. Many died in airplane crashes in the Gander region.
Arrow Air Disaster and the Silent Witness Memorial
On December 12, 1985, Arrow Air Flight 1285, which was transporting American troops from Cairo, Egypt to Kentucky, USA, via Gander, stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff killing all 256 people on board. This is the deadliest aviation accident to occur in Canada.
An American soldier holds the hands of two children at the Silent Witness Memorial, keeping watch over the crash site. Visitors have left pennies scattered over the sculptures in remembrance.
North Atlantic Aviation Museum
The North Atlantic Aviation Museum taught us about the construction of Gander International airport and the role it played in international travel, both for civilians crossing the ocean in the early days of commercial airline travel and for the military during World War II. There was also a great exhibit about the people of Gander and the role they played in welcoming and housing 6700 travelers during the days after 9/11 when American airspace was closed and flights were rerouted to Gander.
Terra Nova National Park
Terra Nova National Park is Canada’s most easterly national park. We didn’t have much time to spend in the park but the views we enjoyed from the side of the road were spectacular. We hope to return someday to further explore its forests, inlets and bogs.
