In Loving Memory...

My dad was the best.  I remember he worked hard to feed his family.  However, as the Native American's believe, you cannot remove from the earth without making payment.  Coal miner's make that payment in many ways...they are either hurt and mangled forced into disability, lose fingers, lose their ability to breath due to black lung, or pay the ultimate...with their blood & life.  I remember once my dad coming home and as he leaned over, his hard hat came off and was filled with blood where a rock had fallen crushing his hard hat and cracking his skull.  He worked with broken ribs.  My dad paid all the above and finally, payment in full was required...life & blood.  Wednesday, June 14, 1978 just 10 minutes before shift ended....3:25 pm.