Lighting the Darkness After 9/11
As the tragedy of September 11, 2001, unfolded, Musco Lighting, an Oskaloosa, Iowa-based company renowned for illuminating landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Field of Dreams, stepped forward to assist in one of the darkest times in U.S. history. Known for lighting football stadiums and movie sets, Musco’s mobile lighting trucks would take on a new and somber role—illuminating the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero and the Pentagon.
Answering the Call
On the morning of 9/11, while Musco crews were finishing their work at the Gravity Games in Rhode Island, they received a phone call asking for their assistance in New York City. Joe Crookham, Musco’s chairman, called his team and left the decision to them. Without hesitation, they left their breakfast behind and headed to Ground Zero. Meanwhile, additional trucks from Iowa were dispatched to the Pentagon, departing Oskaloosa by noon on 9/11.
Challenges on the Ground
Arriving amidst the chaos, Musco’s team faced immense obstacles. The debris at Ground Zero was overwhelming, with dust two feet deep and ash-filled air complicating their work. Driving through the wreckage caused flat tires, forcing trucks to continue on their rims just to reach the site. Crews worked tirelessly to maintain their equipment while ensuring their own safety amidst life-threatening conditions, including unstable buildings and toxic air.
Communication proved difficult, with spotty cell service and little coordination among the numerous agencies on-site. Despite these challenges, Musco’s lighting equipment became a critical tool, aiding rescuers as they searched for survivors in the wreckage of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.
A Symbol of Hope
For months, Musco’s towering lighting booms stood as beacons of hope, lighting the way for recovery efforts. At Ground Zero, the New York Fire Department requested Musco to raise the American flag on their
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