Good news of miners’ rescue came just in time

There’s no denying that the past few weeks have been rough for Americans. Stock market schizophrenia, ongoing corporate ethics scandals, young girls kidnapped and murdered and raging wildfires dominated the headlines. We were certainly starved for a bit of good news. Thankfully, it came over the weekend in the form of nine, living, breathing blue-collar coal miners and the hundreds of everyday heroes who saved their lives.

You have to admit, hope seemed lost, particularly when the tapping ceased and the drill bit used to bore a rescue shaft broke, causing a long and agonizing delay. No doubt, those old enough to remember the 1961 Jimmy Dean classic "Big Bad John" were reminded of the haunting lyrics "… twenty men scrambled from a would-be grave. Now there’s only one left down there to save — Big John. With jacks and timbers they started back down. Then came that rumble way down in the ground …. everyone knew it was the end of the line for Big John."

Even those less seasoned will remember the tragic fate of the 118 sailors aboard the Russian submarine Kursk who perished, trapped 350 feet underwater in the Berents Sea in August of 2000. There, too, the tapping ceased. As the world held its collective breath, rescue crews ran out of time when the lack of money and horrific weather teamed up to produce a tragically different outcome.

In Pennsylvania the rescue effort was undertaken with clockwork precision. Working tirelessly, without panic or fear, fellow coal miners — with grim determination etched on their faces — set about to free their co-workers. Each man above ground understood that it could easily have been him waiting in the darkness 240 feet below the earth. Speculative news reports wondered out loud when the effort would be deemed a "recovery" rather than a rescue. Seventy-seven hours passed between the moment when 60 million gallons of water filled the mineshaft (following the accidental drilling of an adjacent abandoned mine) and the liberation of nine soggy, soot-covered men.

At the heart of this saga are everyday people — the kind of guys who kiss their wives and head off to work in some of the most dangerous jobs in our country. This time, thankfully, there’s a happy ending.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

I was excited to read in Will Geschke’s report (“Everett lawmakers back… Continue reading

Important national story missing from Herald

I couldn’t find a report in The Herald that the Trump administration… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s ‘Man-of-Steel’ shtick will make U.S. weaker

Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum will harm allies we need and won’t help industries here.

Comment: AG Bondi’s DEI memo more messaging than lawsuit threat

Talk of criminal investigations is intended to panic corporations into abandoning their DEI programs.

Goldberg: Why Musk, Vance went to bat for self-desribed racist

While a former Trump official is on the outs for doing his job, a proud racist gets his job back.

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Welch: State Democrats’ bill would undermine parental rights

The bill would allow kids as young as 13 to make mental health decisions without notice to parents.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.