Proud of coal contributions

To the editor:
On Nov. 30, 2012, an article appeared in our newspaper (The Harlan Daily Enterprise) and immediately caught my eye. It was written by Mike Aldridge, whom I suppose is from the Cynthiana, Ky. area. He had traveled with a friend and some referee’s to a football game between Cooper High School and Harlan County High School, which was the Class 5A playoffs. He was impressed with the football stadium, which is called The Coal Miner’s Stadium. When the announcer asked, “Who turned on the lights at the Stadium?” The crowd’s response was COAL, followed by the announcer saying Harlan County Coal.
Yes, down here in Southeast Kentucky we have been called barefooted hillibillies, dumb hillbillies and that’s just a few names. But, you won’t go anywhere and be treated any better than by the people here in Harlan County. We are definitively very proud of the Harlan County High School and especially the Coal Miner’s Stadium. I am looking forward to my grandchildren going there. I have heard that when the Stadium gets finished, there will be a concession stand, bathrooms and dressing area on the visitors side. This will be a blessing and thanks to all involved to help get things going.
My family is a coal mining family, father-in-law was a Federal Mine Inspector, my husband worked 30 years underground, one son laid-off and our oldest which is a left leg amputee due to a mining accident (18 years ago) still works underground. So, yes we are very proud of our coal miners and pray for their safety each day. Mr. Mike Aldridge, thanks for your comment and it reaching down here to us. Many thanks to you, your friends, referee’s, football players, cheerleaders, band and especially the fans that traveled that long trip. My son had friends visiting from Indiana. Maybe one of these days we will get to Cooper High School and win.
Just remember, when you turn on the lights, remember Harlan County and what powers the electric company COAL.
Marsha Cook
Bledsoe, Ky.