Doctor touched by 'breathtaking' Gander arrival of Syrian refugees

A doctor working part-time in Gander had an unexpected and emotional moment at the town's airport in the early morning hours of Aug. 12, as he found himself in the midst of a large gathering to welcome the secondSyrian refugee family to the community.

Hassan Masricommuteson a part-time basis from his home in Saskatchewan, and steppedonto the Gander tarmacat 2 a.m. to what he called an "exceptional scene."

"The moment Iwalked into the terminal Irealized there's something completely different this time the airport was packed full," Masri.

Hediscoveredthat the dozens of children, flag-waving adults and welcoming posters were all there awaiting the refugees, some of them already in tears.

"Ididn't pay attention to my luggage at this point," he said, adding he instead tookout his phone to document the moment.

"The first thingwe saw was their little child come out he was stunned to see all these people in twoin the morning," Masri said, adding the waiting childrenrushed towards the boyin welcome, as the rest of the family appeared and began to cry.

"You could see them saying 'Thank you, thank you,'" he told CBC Radio's Central Morning Show.

"It was a beautiful Canadian scene here in Gander. It was breathtaking."

Understanding the refugee experience

The generosity and welcoming held a deeper meaning for Masri, whoseown parents arrived in Canada from Syria about 20 years ago.

"For me, it was very heartwarming and very special," Masri said of witnessing the moment, which remindedhim of the sense of belonging he feels Canadianshavealways made for his family.

"We feel that we weren't forced on anybody, peopletruly welcomed us.And so now it's time for us to pay back and contribute."

For his part,Masri has volunteered in a Syrian field hospitaland now makes the commute to Gander to help with a doctor shortage in the community.

"Here, I'm helpingGander.And here Gander is helping people of the same heritage as me."

Masri hopes the new family settles in and will absorb some of their new community's welcoming attitude.

• How Gander's support of Syrian refugees is part of a long tradition

"Isuspect that thisCanadian-Syrian family, in many many years from now, will also be at Gander's airport, welcoming other refugees from other parts of the world,and showing them the Gander generosity."