Americans Play Pivotal Role in Chilean Mine Rescue
- Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:34pm by
Meredith Jessup
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PITTSBURGH – Proud employees of a small drilling company too remote to have cable television found themselves Wednesday at the center of the world’s biggest news story — but they still had to get the day’s work done.
As rescuers brought 33 Chilean miners one by one in a metal capsule through a 2,000-foot hole bored by drill bits made by Center Rock Inc. of Berlin, Pa., workers in the small southwestern Pennsylvania community occasionally paused their daily routines to follow computer news feeds. Lunch was brought in to help them celebrate.
But machines still needed to be oiled, floors still needed to be swept — and somebody still had to answer the phones, which were ringing off the hook.
“We still have customers who still need products today, so we‘re working and we’re celebrating,” inside sales manager Becky Dorcon told The Associated Press.
Center Rock has a brief, but storied, history. Founded in 1998, the company’s profile rose appreciably in July 2002, when it pitched in during a similar rescue to free nine miners trapped underground for more than three days in the flooded Quecreek Mine a few miles away.
Tom Foy, 61, who still lives in Berlin, was one of the Quecreek miners but has worked for Center Rock for nearly five years.
“The kids won’t let me go back,” said Foy, a married father referring to his four children, ages 34 to 38. “I gave the mining up. I wasn’t about to put them through that again.”
Although Quecreek helped put Center Rock on the map, it was the company’s LP Drill — or low-profile drill — developed five years ago that has seen the company grow from 16 to 75 employees and put the company at the center of the Chilean rescue, Dorcon said.
Schramm Inc. of West Chester, Pa., makes the T-130 drill used to make the hole; Center Rock makes the 28-inch wide canisters that function as the bit. Each canister contains four air hammers and four drill bits that move in tandem to dig through rock.
Center Rock owner Brandon Fisher, just back Tuesday night from Chile, fielded dozens of interview requests — and hoped to sneak away for some sleep.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily American of Somerset, Fisher said he and wife, sales director Julie Fisher, were back in Berlin in time to watch on television as the first miner was pulled from the hole where he and his colleagues had been trapped since Aug. 5.
Fisher, 38, and Richard Soppe, 58, his director of construction and mining tools, spent 37 days with scant sleep drilling the rescue shaft. Julie Fisher joined them about two weeks ago, and relatives and friends gathered to welcome them home Tuesday.
“When I saw the first guy looking healthy, that‘s what it’s all about,” Fisher told the newspaper. “But the mission is not over until the last guy is out.”
Fisher was especially drawn to miner Mario Sepulveda Espina, with whom Fisher interacted by video during the drilling process.
Espina, the second miner pulled from the shaft, made made a bizarre request while still underground: wigs. Officials granted Espina’s request, Fisher told the Daily American, and the miner wore one in front of a video monitor, joking about what shampoo did to his hair — perhaps a reference to a commercial in which a wig-clad Troy Polamalu blames his big hair on shampoo.
Once rescued, Espina ran along high-fiving those above ground.
“He was a practical joker; he used humor to keep the morale up,” Fisher told the newspaper.
Dorcan said the company took “tremendous pride” in the rescue.
“Everybody here has been giving 110 percent since the day Brandon got in contact with the people of Chile and it was thought he was going and our tools were going to be used,” she said.
Foy said Center Rock volunteered to help in Chile after officials there confirmed the miners were still alive Aug. 22, but said soon afterward that they expected it would take until Christmas to dig a rescue shaft.
“They said, ‘Well, heck, they ain’t getting out till Christmastime, and I know and Brandon knows and we all knew we could get down to them faster than that,” Foy said. “We proved that Center Rock is a little company, but they do big things.”
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In addition, American Thinker has great piece, specifically about how American capitalism saved the Chilean miners. Check it out here.
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Comments (56)
dizzyinthedark
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 5:33amI am very happy we were able to help them out. The Chilean President believed these men were alive and did the right thing reaching outside their own country for help with a problem bigger than they could handle safely–BRAVO Mr. President.
Just wondering if any of the Middle Eastern countries were there to help out in any of this?
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:07amI’m very pleased that the miners were rescued and that American citizens played a major role in the rescue. I‘m also wondering if Chile will reconsider their appeal to the 9th Circuit US Court with regards to Arizona’s new immigration law? Please excuse the second posting but I put the first one in the wrong place!! lol Senior moment
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:06amOnce again the evil capitalist Americans come to the rescue. I know others helped but it was this company an American company that made this into a short 69 days of hell for those miners. The rescue plan was figuring to have them out around Xmas! Their President needs to be commended for being present throughout this rescue.
I said that to myself earlier today had this happened in the US BHO would not be there to greet any of them.. maybe the last one.. but the Chilean Pres was there for every single one of them. That is class, honor, respect, patriotism a real leader!
Barry takes some notes from the Chile Pres and the last man out who kept these guys heads cool took charge and responsibility. He wasn’t pointing fingers and playing the blame game!
Come out of your shell, cross the line within yourself and TAKE BACK AMERICA through http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 5:35pmI watched a lot of this on Fox. I can’t tell you how many times a newsman said that the Chilean President put his whole Presidency on the line backing this. They said many times that all contengencies were planned for, Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc. Remember it was the American Capitalism System that helped Chile, not the American Government!! We need to remember this for our own country’s future!!!!
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:05amBarack Obama would call these small-town people “bitter people who cling to their religions and guns”.
The rest of us call them True American Heroes.
Report Post »Texas.7
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 12:56amAmerican ingenuity, gusto and determination. The way the little company stepped up reminds me of what America is famous for. It reminds me of “let’s roll”. It reminds me of Sully. It reminds me of what free men and women can accomplish when they aren’t held back.
Thank you so much for all that you did! We need heroes like you!
May God bless you abundantly!
Report Post »debi55
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 12:22amThrough all of this the Chilean people have been amazing! They have much to be proud of. The people of the United States are always willing to help out and we have SO much to be proud of too! Lets not let anyone tell us otherwise! God bless them all and thank goodness they are all out safe and sound! It was so impressive to see the pride that the Chileans have for their contry and their president represented the country of Chile so well. WOW!!
Report Post »Rubicon
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 11:48pmDespite the turmoil in our country, I love the United States of America! This is what America is really all about! God Bless America, God Bless Chile, God Bless the rescued miners.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 11:48pmYou wouldn’t have known it by watching them pat each other on the back at the rescue … I await the thank you from the Chilean Pres.
I am very proud of all who helped including NASA ..was that with or without Muslim scientists?
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:05amCat: I’m very pleased that the miners were rescued and that American citizens played a major role in the rescue. I‘m also wondering if Chile will reconsider their appeal to the 9th Circuit US Court with regards to Arizona’s new immigration law?
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 11:12pmI wonder if those rescued and the Chilean government will feel the need to have Obama apologize for America? I am proud these Americans helped and thankful for the safety of the miners. The U.S.and its people are great and want to remain that way – inspite of the intentions of our president and the Democrats. Let’s vote the Dems out of office on Nov. 2 to send this message.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:41pmAmen,Amen
Report Post »Time_To_Stand
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:41pmI am so proud to be an American. Thank you to the PA firm who lent their expertise during this emergency – all of you have made us proud!
Americans are so willing to help others; we are generous, we are innovative, we are inspiring and we work very hard to make America great.
Be dammed you progressive idiots who want to ruin this great nation.
Can you respect the accomplishments of individuals? This is what happens when you have freedom to live, work, create, and make profits.
Great accomplishments! Long live the republic!
Report Post »CrackerSmurf
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:32pmThe free market provided those communists freedom…USA USA USA USA USA USA USA
Report Post »sullinsea
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:12pmContrast reality with Chris Matthews “it couldn’t be done without government, Tea Partiers” screed with socialist AFL-CIO head Richard Trumka.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/matthews-chilean-miners-would-be-dead-if-they-followed-tea-party-philosophy/
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:12pmok.
they’re out. they’re safe. great.
nice human interest story
yippy-ki-yay.
let’s move on.
CNN is going to milk this for the next 2 1/2 weeks in order to avoid the coming elections.
i’m over it already….
Report Post »Time_To_Stand
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:43pmMy husband told me to LIKE your comment – LOL
Report Post »I asked him if he wrote it!!
Huckabee Gingrich 12
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 11:52pmYeah, what Butcher said! We’ve got so many more fascinating things we could be paying attention to, e.g., the President’s latest insult to the American people, or text pictures of Brett Favre’s “sausage”, right Butcher? Enough of this “Hooray-for-Miners-and-the-Heroes-Who-Rescued-Them” nonsense already!
Report Post »Danielle1212
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:57pmThank God for all those at Center Rock and for those in Chile who had the mind to permit them to help out! God does want personal freedom and responsiblity to thrive!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:55pmThis is nothing short of a miracle. To the American’s that helped the miners in Chile: You Rock!
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:52pmCongratulations to Center Rock Co. May you have a huge success in the future.
Report Post »ReGul
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:50pmThrough a crisis, we learn and grow. What a wonderful story
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:59pmAnd pull together to bring out the best in humanity : )
Report Post »bedford_va_pastor
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:48pmThe USA, did an incredible job, but please tell me someone else caught the snub of OBAMA from the Chilean President?!?!?!?! The Chilean Pres. went through all of the world leaders he spoke to and got info. and encouragement from, and he ‘skipped’ over our beloved Obama. He even mentioned England’s prime minister but not “Barack Hussein Obama mmm mmm mmm!!!!” I had to chuckle!
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:57pmHe knew he’d be no help. Obama probably would have told him he’d form a commission of “experts” and throw some money from here to there and come up with the best possible way to retrieve their bodies in about 6-8 weeks or so.
Report Post »OneRepublic4us
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:39pmI did catch that but I also caught the comment about accepting help offered by other countries and their experts, unlike Obama calling in a bunch of lawyers instead of experts.
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:07amMichael Medved reports that President Pinera is a good, free-market guy. Maybe Obama‘s communism isn’t his cup of tea. :-)
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:48pmNBC & MSNBC aren’t convinced of that. America bashing to follow. No good deed will go unpunished.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:33amI‘m glad things worked out for the miners in Chile and I’m proud of the American’s who helped. Having said that I feel it’s time to get back to the issues.
The BBC News reported last week that 95,000 jobs were lost last month here in America and we’ve got Democrats who choke over the question “what creates jobs?” God save us all!
Report Post »Capt_Spalding
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:46pmThese guys are heroes. Once again, the USA comes thru because that’s what we do! We are the best, most generous, strongest, and overall greatest country in the world and we prove it everytime!
Report Post »And that just PI**ES those Progressives off!! … Which means we’re doing the right thing.
God bless our heroes and God bless America!
AzDebi
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:01pmVery well said! Thank You!
Report Post »mtownes
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:05amBut theres stil problems in america thats embarassing! Now drill a whole to send these illegal immigrants back through to home! Screw drilling a whole somewhere else when ur own country is a bunch of S—… Be4 it becomes a parking lot!
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:45pmOf course Americans wanted to help, I wish the rest of the world would remember that once in a while.
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:43pmNice job I’m glad they got the miners out of there. I’m surprised that a PA company did most of the work.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:43pmWho do those Americans think they are? Don‘t they know that they are what’s wrong with the world. Just ask Obama. He has been apologizing for our horrible behavior for 2 years now.
Report Post »DaytonConserve
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 1:13amAny body else besides me notice that the President of Chile mentioned a lot of world leaders who spoke with him, that is, except for President Obama or Secretary of State Clinton. Did not hear their names come up once.
Report Post »mtownes
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:08amU shudnt have, they shudnt have called them for nothing! Did that white devil bush hear anything from them during Katrina! Worry about america because its about to become a parking lot… While the white devil republicans are n office!
KIP
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:02amObama was not mentioned in the Chilean president’s speech of thanks. Earlier, however, the president did give credit to the U.S. for our support with the drilling, the rescue capsule and NASA-related help.
Report Post »uneedmorekoolaid
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:41pmnice job guys way to be entrepeneurs and make money! but you guys werent sitting around waiting for a govt official to tell you to make better drill bits.
nice work
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:39pmYou guys are the best and thank GOD for you.GOD heard our and those miners prayers.NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THEN THE ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN GOD WE TRUST. WE ARE THE GREATEST NATION ON GODS GREEN EARTH.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:39pmUSA USA USA
Thanks guys .
Robert .
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:53pmViva Chile; Viva America! :)))))
Report Post »ADMIRAL747
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:57pmAs a Gulf Coast resident once removed from Chicagoland I have one thing to say; what help from Denmark would have prevented damage to the Louisiana marshland that this administration ignored?
Report Post »BQI
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:05pmI join in the celebration for all Chileans and for the Americans who played a role. With that said, will anyone volunteer to let our President know that this is what American exceptionalism is all about. With his destructive policies, will America be able to be there the next time??
Black Conservative Blog: http://www.blackquillandink.com “Obama, The True Believer” new article.
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:22pmAnd this is the way a crisis should be handled. Accept help from others, be there to support your fellow citizens, don’t take a vacation!
Report Post »Listen and learn, Obama.
snowleopard3200
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 11:06pmViva the miners, viva America, viva Chile; Viva God and the human spirit to never give up and to never give in!
Miracles do happen; hopefully this november will be the big one America is waiting for.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 11:37pmAnother story that makes me damn proud to be American!
Report Post »DaytonConserve
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 1:10amLooks like it didn’t take any so called stimulus money for you guys to step to the plate and make us all proud!
Report Post »roguetea
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:13amrogue, Thanks Energized Americans
Contrast this story with the fact that some of our troops are not getting their ballots on time. I’d bet Center Rock could punch those ballots through on time.
We are surely a Nation blessed with an abundance of inspiring folk. We need to get rid of the dainty handed, over educated clowns running our grossly over sized government and elect folks that know how to get a job done, ahead of schedule, on target and safe. Dirt under the fingers nails sounds so right and true to me.
Report Post »tea party, ReAct 2010, ROGUE ON
drbage
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:23amCould you imagine this scene in our country today with our leaders? Singing the national anthem and everyone knowing the words…… Unfortunately, I am certain that never would have happened and the TV reporters would have had to jostle for position with all the lawyers crowding to sign up clients.
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