Chile Miners Show Us How to Breathe Again

When word first came that miners in Chile were alive more than two weeks after a massive collapse there was joy and trepidation. How to rescue 33 men trapped 2,000 feet below the earth's surface? Yes, they could be brought to safety. But, it would take four months. We all wondered how we might fare if were down there. First we learned the men took two days of food, and made it last for two weeks. Soon we saw videos. The trapped miners were smiling, singing. Whatever burdens we carried seem small compared to the men underground and their families who prayed and waited. When the rescue capsule emerged and the first miner stepped out we marveled. The plan...The engineering...The machinery... It all worked. And two months ahead of schedule. Many of us are feeling trapped these days. The people of Chile showed us what its like to breathe fresh air again.

Just a minute. I'm Harry Smith, CBS News.