Sunday, January 22, 2006

Would you?






It's yet another sad day for West Virginia this morning. The two miners who were trapped in the mine were found dead yesterday.

The entire state, and nation I hope is mourning your passing today.

I posted these pictures today to give those of you who have never been to or have seen a coal mine an idea what they're like. These are photos of the mine I worked at over last summer in Nicholas County. It's of a closed section... The pics are of the entrance, and remember, this is the average height of this coal mine, some are higher... But not a lot. I stand 6' 2 1/2" tall, and the roof of this adit comes up to my hip.

I've got to hand it to the coal miners of West Virginia, and the rest of the country. My Great Grandfather was a coal miner in Pennsylvania. I've done a lot of dangerous jobs in my life, been in combat, jumped out of perfectly good airplanes and helicopters, was a cop for ten years in one of the worst sections of Philadelphia, worked on a track gang for the railroad.
But I'll tell you this.

You couldn't pay me enough to go two miles underground like these guys do every day. My hat's off to them, because without coal, we'd lose 50% of our electricity overnight.

These guys keep the country going.

Copyright 2006 Thomas J Wolfenden

5 comments:

ahamilton said...

You couldn't pay me enough to do the job these people do. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these men.

cmk said...

My family worked copper mines. Thankfully, we lost no one. I mourn with the families.

bevy said...

I never thought about all they do. My heart goes out to their families.

Lisa said...

You couldn't pay me enough.

My heart is with these families.

Thomas J Wolfenden said...

I hope so Kat, I really hope so.