Ingersoll Rand assistance in lighting 9/11 rescue efforts epitomizes private sector solutions

We all remember precisely where we were and what we were doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. For many, we were planted in front of our television sets, starring aghast at the horrific events that were unfolded in front of our eyes.

As many of us watched in horror and disbelief, Herb Henkel had a curious thought, “what are the rescue workers going to do when night falls?”

As the President and CEO of Ingersoll Rand, Herb’s corporate headquarters are located just across the Hudson River in Northern New Jersey. Herb was all too familiar with the ins and outs of Lower Manhattan and he knew that rescue efforts would be hampered without the necessary equipment.

Coincidentally, one of Ingersoll Rand’s trademark products is a portable stadium light system (the kind you always see the night crew using for highway construction).

Herb immediately got on the phone and started desperately dialing all his contacts, trying to get as many portable light units down to Ground Zero as possible. Within hours, Herb had truckloads of equipment on its way.

As the hours and days progressed, there were so many lights provided that the rescue crews saw it fit to pay tribute with a symbolic display of light. What Herb originally saw as a potential problem, resulted as a memorable tribute to our fallen heroes.

The Twin Towers of Light, as they became known, serve as a reminder of the words of St. Christopher, “It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness.”

Herb’s story clearly shows the amazing effectiveness of private sector solutions. While most people sat around waiting for the government to respond (think Katrina), Herb Henkel saw that there was an opportunity for him to intercede and make a difference.

As JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Ronald Reagan echoed this sentiment several decades later when he said, “Government isn’t the solution, Government is the problem.”

As a nation, we’ve become increasingly dependent upon our government, expecting Uncle Sam to be there for us in our time of need. But in reality, it’s not our government we need to be relying upon, but one another. The beauty behind private sector solutions is that it promotes individual responsibility.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

One of the goals of the Express Rider Network is to help “foster” increased development and training within the private sector to help equip our leaders of tomorrow so that we have more Herb Henkels in our society.