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Some Recent Comments for Petition For An Annual Commemorative National Miner’s Day For The United States Of AmericaThese messages are published with permission of the sender. I am a descendant of Coal Miners in Soddy, TN. They risk their lives to keep this country going. They deserve to be honored for what they do. They are the backbone of this country!!!! Is the little man no longer important in this country??? The mines took my father, my uncle and my father-in-law in McDowell county. I have relatives still working in the coal mines. God bless coal miners. I cannot imagine a more deserving group than those who mine the coal that powers this country, and dig out the other valuable ores that make the industrial production of America possible. I also cannot imagine spending my life in those conditions, underground and at such great risk at all times. There are other unappreciated jobs that keep this country going, but probably none that get as little attention. The only time miners make the news is when one or more dies doing this so important function that benefits us all. Let's give them some attention while they are alive! I agree that the mine workers have a commemorative national Miner's Day for their huge contribution in making America possible. Without them there would be no America; but more than a national holiday they deserve a "living wage" with benefits. It would be a sorry commemorative holiday knowing how hard they labor for so little pay. They deserve both! It's shocking that they don't have these things already but now is the time for our representatives in congress to step up and do something beneficial for all miners. There are many kinds of miners who bring forth earth's treasures for many different uses. This has been going on for many years and they should have a day in which they are honored by their fellow men. My Grandfather was a Coal Miner in Southwest Iowa. I am the wife of a coal miner who has been in the coal mines for about 7 years. That might not be a really long time to some but it is to someone who worries about the safety of a loved one.I have been around mining all of my life.. My late grandfather worked in the west virginia mines untill he got to retire years ago.Among the beloved men i have mentioned ,my father in law and almost all of my husbands uncles are currently in the coal mines . The point im getting to is that everyone of these men love what they do and wouldnt want to change a thing.They really deserve that honor and like said above continue to earn tis honor everyday. this for all of us coal minners out there lets get this passed here and abroad so coal minning families that have lost loved ones will not be forgoten. here is something men and women can share with all of your friends and family Way down deep inside the West Virginia coal mines, A lot of brave men is what you'll find Who risk their lives by night and day, For lots of hard work and very little pay They risk their lives day in and day out, For it's their families they worry about They worry about clothes and shoes for their feet, They worry about bills and food to eat. They don't get enough pay for what they must do, Some call them crazy others call them fools If you ask them why, here's what they will say, There's no better job with any better pay. It's dark in there so you miners beware, Watch out for each other and miners take care Keep your light shining; keep it at all times So your way back out you'll be able to find. Let's all say a prayer as they enter in, God let them come out and see daylight again God please watch over these brave West Virginia men I am the wife and mother of coal miners, My husband and 2 sons work in the coal mine. My grandfather worked in the coal mines, as did my father-in-law. I live in a Once coal mining town and I believe that the day shoud be set as soon as possiable. My grandfather and father were coal miners in Eastern Kentucky near the West Virginia border. I have several relatives that risk their lives each day in the mines. My father retired last year after 30+ years of working as a miner. Coal miners are invaluable to our country. Both my Grandfather and Great Grandfather were Coal Miners. My Grandfather died of the black lung. My Great Grandfather died at 98. Many years before an accident in the mine had left him crippled for life. These men were two of the finest people I have ever known. I loved them dearly and I believe that a National Coal Miners Day is an important thing to have. I found information on this topic when I was looking for something else in reference to West Virginia and mining. The importance of honoring miners, past and present, does not leave me for long. They are most deserving of their day. It is a great part of my heritage. Some of my reasons for supporting efforts to commemorate a national Miner's Day certainly are personal. My grandfathers, father, uncles, and cousins all dedicated selflessly. I cannot sing any mining songs nor speak of kinfolk or mining tragedies without fighting the tears and feeling the pride. Should this legislation be passed, I would work tirelessly to bring a national Miner's Day to life. What can I do to become involved? I found information on this topic when I was looking for something else in reference to West Virginia and mining. The importance of honoring miners, past and present, does not leave me for long. They are most deserving of their day. It is a great part of my heritage. Some of my reasons for supporting efforts to commemorate a national Miner's Day certainly are personal. My grandfathers, father, uncles, and cousins all dedicated selflessly. I cannot sing any of the mining songs without fighting the tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arms. I found this site when I was looking for something else in reference to West Virginia and mining. I cannot put the words more aptly than the author(s) of the above petition. However, I do agree that there should be a national Miner's Day. Some of my reasons for supporting efforts to commemorate a national Miner's Day would be personal. It put tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arms to know that there was such legislation being presented. My father, Virgil L. Williams was a coal miner in southern West Virginia for 33 yrs. and so was his father, Emory Williams. My father, age 84, passed away on October 18th, 1999, after struggling many years with breathing problems from the coal dust in his lungs. He loved coal mining and was so proud to say he was a coal miner. He had a small museum of coal mining tools, photographs, script and many many other items. He spoke to many school children here in the eastern panhandle about being a coal miner. Before he passed away he donated all of his collection to the WV Cultural Museum in Charleston. They had a beautiful exhibit in his honor, which he did get to attend. What a proud moment for my father and his family. When the new Cultural Center Museum opens his collection will be on display. Please commemorate our coal miners, past & present with a National Miners Day. They are proud souls and so deserving of a special day in their honor! My father, Virgil L. Williams was a coal miner in southern West Virginia for 33 yrs. and so was his father, Emory Williams. My father, age 84, passed away on October 18th, 1999, after struggling many years with breathing problems from the coal dust in his lungs. He loved coal mining and was so proud to say he was a coal miner. He had a small museum of coal mining tools, photographs, script and many many other items. He spoke to many school children here in the eastern panhandle about being a coal miner. Before he passed away he donated all of his collection to the WV Cultural Museum in Charleston. They had a beautiful exhibit in his honor, which he did get to attend. What a proud moment for my father and his family. When the new Cultural Center Museum opens his collection will be on display. Please commemorate our coal miners, past & present with a National Miners Day. They are proud souls and so deserving of a special day in their honor! I think this is a very good idea. I have grown up in West Virginia, and just recently I had a friend of the family get killed in the mines. I think everyone in the U.S. should realize how much this country, and other countries depend on coal. I think this day would help Americans realize. People in other parts of the nation don't realize because they don't have to worry about a loved one, a friend, a brother, a son, ect. going into the mines everyday. I think this would be really nice, and make some people realize what West Virginians and others risk everyday when they go to work. Please support a National Miner's Day. Almost every state has a rich cultural past and present of mining. Not only coal mining; that I had worked in for over 8 years, and that my father and grand-father shared; but iron ore, potash, gold . . . Do to mechanization, mining is less visible, but still important to our economy. Help us show this importance and share the History. Thank You Paulette Shine 252 Number 8 Hollow Morgantown, WV 26501 As you well know, here in Montana, miners have long gotten the shaft, while the rich bastards who've run the companies have gotten richer and left behind a legacy of toxic copper mine dumps and asbestos-filled school playgrounds. Miners and their heirs deserve better than that. Miners have always done the hard job, not knowing when disaster would strike. They have given the ultimate sacrifice for a job that many Americans take for granted. My hat is off to the miners, history proves they are great Americans. PLEASE< PLEASE< PLEASE!!!! This is so needed. Thank you for seeing that this is accomplished. Please support our desire to have an Annual Commemorative National Miner’s Day For The United States Of America Where would we be today without miners? this needs to be done now. THEY SHOULD HAVE A DAY THEY MADE OUR COUNTRY WHAT IT IS. We owe the coal miners a huge debt of gratitude every time we flip the light switch and turn on our TV's. This is much deserved and much too late. I am the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of West Virginia coal miners. My great grandfather died in the Bartley Coal Mine disaster in January, 1940. Over the years, my grandmother shared many stories with me of growing up in a coal camp. Though she is gone now, I remember every detail of her sad accounting of the day her father was killed. I know my grandmother would be overjoyed to know that someone is remembering the sacrifices that coal miners and their families have made. They are truly the reason we turn the lights on! Please make sure that coal miners are given the recognition they deserve! I feel the coal miners of this nation are very dedicated and hard working people who are very deserving of a national coal miners day to be recognized for their hard work. Coal mining is a very dangerous job, having lost my father in a coal mining accident ,I know that first hand.Please let us show our appreciation by honoring them in this way! I am retired coal miner with many family members in the industry. My wife knows first hand the dangers and risks faced daily by coal miners having lost her father and uncle in mining accidents also having several family menbers with black lung and severe arthritis ! I feel that coal miners are the most unappreciated and hard working people in the industry . Kathy Mattea's new CD, COAL, reminded me of the difficult times my Uncle and others who grew up in the Mining towns of W. Virginia experienced. Please consider very carefully honoring these hard working men and families who sacrificed so much for our country.
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