"MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON"

Story by Jordan M. Iwanyszyn

That is what Drudge Report called a heroic rescue after US Airways Flight 1549 was landed in New York's Hudson River Thursday afternoon after reportedly sustaining a bird strike.

It truly was a miracle in the fact that all 155 people aboard had survived, despite temperatures in New York of the single-digit variety, and ice forming on the shores of the Hudson.

The pilot, Chesley B. Sullenberger III, is a modern-day hero. A former U.S. Air Force captain, he has now been flying commercially for 28 years. He first flew for Pacific Southwest Airlines, and then for US Airways when it acquired PSA. He has reportedly put in 19,000 hours of flight, and it showed. His skills and leadership were crucial in the survival of all aboard.

The Airbus A320 had left LaGuardia International Airport in New York and reached an altitude of 3,200 feet in the space of a minute-and-a-half, when it had hit what appears to have been some geese, which caused thrust in both engines to be lost. It what could have been a catastrophe, especially if the plane crashed somewhere in Manhattan, Sullenberger was able to engineer a calculated water landing, thus averting serious loss of life and property. It is truly amazing!

The good hearts of Americans shined through in this event, as well. Within moments, numerous watertaxis and ferryboats that saw the whole thing unfold descended onto the scene, and scooped out the passengers of the downed plane. Their quick response ensured that no one suffered severe injury due to the cold. It also ensured that no one would go down with the plane in the event that it would have started to sink, which didn't happen, thank God.

This is truly a remarkable and heart-warming story in this day-in-age when we hear so much negative about disasters and the crooks in life. Through the potential for serious harm, it was averted and the heroism of our fellow countrymen shined through. Just like the response after 9/11 from Americans, and many all over the world, people put others before their own self-interest. Because of that, not a single person lost their life!

This truly was a miracle, and an example of the good hearts of the vast majority of the people of America!