My maternal grandfather, James Alfred Persinger, born in Putnam County, West Virginia in 1898, started working in the coal mines at age 12 and retired at age 68. During his tenure as a coal miner, he fought with Mother Jones, John L. Lewis and countless other brave souls to help form the United Mine Workers of America. My parents were divorced, so my mother and I lived with my grandparents. What I remember is my grandfather (Papa to me), getting up about 3 am every morning to have coffee and a light breakfast, so he would have time to walk the 3 1/2 miles to the mines. Although other men who worked with him always offered him a ride, he would only accept if the weather was horrible. He worked 8-10 hours a day and walked home. He was a kind, gentle man who never complained about his own circumstances, but never failed to stand up for others. Helping, as he did, to help bring the union to the coal industry was something of which he was proud…but he never bragged — he only told the stories. In 1957, he lost one son to a slate fall in a mine where they both were working. I cannot imagine having the strength to go back to work in that mineshaft again, but he did, for 9 more years. He taught me the meaning of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, fearlessness and love. He taught me that regardless of what is happening in your life, life only has meaning when you stand up for and help those unable to help themselves. He taught me that it does not matter if you are earning a dime or a dollar, that when you make a commitment, you give it the best you have. If others treat you poorly, it is on them, not you, as long as you are doing the right thing. I honor James Alfred Persinger, my Papa, my best friend — I miss you still.
