In Rescue of Chilean Miners, Americans
From
Shopfloor:
Columnist and blogger Michelle Malkin has been blogging the rescue of the Chilean miners, noting the contributions of Americans in the remarkable event. From “Celebrating American greatness…in Chile”:
10:01 AM EST In a different day and age, Jeff Hart would be the most famous American in our country right now. He would be honored at the White House. Schoolchildren would learn of his skill and heroism. But because Jeff Hart works in an industry under fire by the Obama administration, more people in Chile will celebrate this symbol of American greatness than in America itself.
Jeff Hart is a driller based in my home state of Colorado. The father of two has been drilling water wells in Afghanistan at U.S. Army bases. When the San Jose Mine in Chile collapsed in August, he flew to lend his renowned expertise to the rescue effort. As part of an amazing three-way race to the trapped miners, Hart drilled for 33 days straight and was first to reach the caved-in workers. The AP recounts the story — and what strikes me again and again is how the world turned to American ingenuity and American fortitude and American equipment and American enterprise to get the job done.”
Subsequently, Malkin notes the statement from President Obama: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave miners, their families, and the men and women who have been working so hard to rescue them. While that rescue is far from over and difficult work remains, we pray that by God’s grace, the miners will be able to emerge safely and return to their families soon. We are also proud of all of the Americans who have been working with our Chilean friends on the ground to do everything that we can to bring these miners home.”
There are plenty of things to celebrate in this rescue, and many people to thank. Beyond the fortitude of the miners and their rescuers, we marvel at the technology that saved these men’s lives. Ten years ago, certainly 20, they would have all been dead.
See also:
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Made Chilean Mine Rescue Possible
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