The 33-trapped miners in Chile have been not only set a record for time underground but they have become national heroes in their own rite.
The event has brought an often-divided population singularly together behind the miners. The miners have been praised for their strength and discipline and typically respond with humble sober notes.
“Thank God that I’ve finally been able to take stock of things here, at the age of 39,” one of the miners, Mario Sepulveda, wrote in one of his letters to his wife. “I think I’ll benefit a lot from this rebirth.”
Homecoming will not be for some time though. The government hopes to bring the miners out in early November.
There are three drills currently running to reach the men. Once the drilling is completed an escape shaft of plastic tubing will need to be installed. A winch will be used to raise the men up one by one in what is expected to take 60-90 minutes apiece.
