Human Spirit And Triumph

I doubt if anyone in the world wasn't aware of the events in Chile yesterday. The miners, trapped underground for nearly two months, TWO MONTHS, were brought to safety one at a time. Without a hitch, it went flawlessly!

Talk about a breathtaking moment as they hugged first the President of Chile Sebastian Pinera and then family and friends. President Pinera showed incredible leadership while staying on site during the whole operation and not giving up hope of a full rescue. This man could be elected anywhere in the world with the courage he showed and his steadfast dedication to the miner's safety and the welfare of their families. (Ahem)

As I watched the last handful of miners pulled from the depths in a small but well designed cage, I couldn't help but misting up. These men have gone through such a rough time. Not knowing if they were able to even be rescued for two weeks before rescuers made contact.

Could you imagine if they hadn't tried? If they had hit the wrong place where the miners weren't. If any one of a thousand things had gone wrong they would have died one of the loneliest of deaths imaginable.

Yet they did make contact, they drilled a rescue hole and got supplies to the miners. They did rescue these men.

One man in particular was responsible for the rescue of these men. Jeff Hart from Denver. Mr. Hart was drilling wells in Afghanistan for the Army when he got the call to fly to Chile. He spent thirty three days on his feet drilling the eventual rescue hole. Think about that for a bit. Yeah I'm sure he rested but I bet it was briefly. Thirty three men depended on him and his skills.

I know I'd be hard pressed to rest much knowing that fact. Knowing I was the one that was going build the rescue hole for these men and every second I wasn't drilling I was slowing things down. Could you rest knowing that?

What makes Mr. Hart a hero is that he left well before the miners were rescued so he would not be the subject of any fanfare. He refused to stay and be apart of the celebration as it would detract from the attention the miners themselves deserved.
"Hart decided to leave the mine now that his work is done and will be watching the rescue from a distance.
“I want to let this become the miners’ and their families’ story and let them have their time,” he said."

Lots of people will have stories after this event. To me the main one is how everyone from every background, political and religious belief, from every race and creed pulled together for these men and their well being.

Great story!