Worked 45 years as a underground coal miner. You will never find a better group of men to work around. No matter what you had going on, they always had your back. Been retired for 3 years and still miss them ol boys.
Underground miner here. Sleeping in my car watching this right now and it's below zero degrees. Looking forward to be home, but then will be back here at the mine after one day off. As an underground miner in Colorado, thank you Joe. We need recognition. I do this for my family and to support my goals. For my country, for society to improve, and for my family. Hard life, I wish others could understand a fraction.
You have to choose what you value most in life. Yes, giving your family security is a priority. But is it worth it if you never see them? I’m sure they’d rather have you there with them making memories than working OT to make sure they have their toys.
My Grand Dad, Dad and older brother were all coal miners back in Rachel West Virginia. They worked hard to see that I never had to work in the coal mines. Love and miss them so much.
My whole family grew up in the Beckley area, i grew up in Chapmanville moved to NC in 98. My whole childhood at least once a year, someone I went to school with would either loose their dad or would nearly loose their dad to a mining accident.
My great grandfather died from black lung after working coal in Elkins, WV. My grandfather hitchhiked to Texas when he was 13 to seek out a better life for himself and his future family. Forever thankful for that decision he made over 60 years ago
I have worked in a coal mine for 22 years and love it. There are some great hard working people who work here with me too. The sad part is that politicians have vilified us and what we do.
Same with chemical refineries for me. No mines here but Generations of men before me paved the way. Similar grueling blue collar work. Spent some time out there... enough to finish college.
@timedwards8171 my grandpa died, they couldn't believe he wasn't a Smoker. Lungs were black, never smoked. Hear the same about OG coal miners. HAHA! Yeah. Super privileged 👌
@@timedwards8171 so the narrative goes, my grandpa worked long hours on a dock and then fought in WW2, seeing his friends die in the process. so much for privelege
@@ABagOfLag White privilege doesn't exist. Our ancestors didn't get anything handed to them, they worked for what we've now got. It would be wise for those proclaiming white privilege to understand this, maybe they can change the future for their descendants.
My grandpa was in Normandy in WW2, came back home to Morgantown, WV and worked in a coal mine for 30+ years. One of his sons just retired from being a coal miner. The amount of respect I have for people that risk their lives for this type of work is infinitely high. So awesome seeing him wearing a Morgantown, WV hat
I see dedication and heart in those guys. Folks may never know the struggles or the sacrifices made just to make a living in a coal mine. A special breed. Love and respect
My Dad worked in underground coal mines most of his life. He took me down into one as a twelve year old. Pretty intense environment to say the least. Saw the miner with the big teeth working, the hydro monitor and we eventually exited the mine on the conveyor belt, a massive no-no I assume but it was the a quick way out of the mine at shifts end. He is sadly trapped for eternity in the Pike River Mine in NZ with 28 other poor souls. It’s a hard knock life, that’s for sure.
I got a cousin who works in a mine, one days some trucks were back up and he got pinned between them. There was so much pressure being put on his knee it literally exploded and he was bleeding out in shock trying to keep calm so no one else would flip out and wrapped his leg with his shirt. Applied pressure and appearently thats what saved his life was keeping his calm, he says if he didn't keep his calm he wouldn't of been able to wrap his leg up & probably would of bleed out before the helicopter got there because he had to be air lifted out.
Luckily, I have the same disposition of not freaking out when bad shit goes down, every time it happened. As I look back it seems like I was and my memories are surreally calm as I did what was necessary. I don't know exactly why I am like that but I think it was because I grew up poor in the north with my great grandparents, as my parents worked our way out of poverty. How that is related is we were not far from starvation underlying life but my great grandparents (born in the 1800s) had a way of living on their farm that assured survival if you followed through. It's hard to explain.
I'm a fourth generation coal miner myself. I spent a few years on the mines before joining the Air Force. Everything I do today is informed by my experiences as a coal miner. I prefer data mining today as a cyber engineer, but certainly coal mining gave me an appreciation for all the generations in my family before me and what they went through to scrape out a living for us.
My Dad did the same. He had hands of leather. I was the first man in our family not to go down the mines. My Dad never forgot his 17 years on the coal face. He had some crazy stories. This made him and his pals real hard men.
My respect for your father. Jobs/careers and sacrifices we forget that exist. Your father and those miners make America. Being born and raised in Los Angeles we don't think of miners, oil refineries yeah here and there.
My dad just retired after 45 years underground. That's what I do now for work. I was a longwall shieldman for a few years, and now I do outby work at a room and pillar. If Rogan ever wanted to know how things used to be "in the old days" and how it's changed to today, my dad is the dude to talk to.
I'm in England. My Dad passed away recently. He worked on a farm from his mid teens into his 80's. He had so many stories and the scars and injuries to prove it. In his late 70s he had cancer for which he needed radiotherapy. He would book the earlest appointment the clinic had, have his treatment and then go do an 8-12 hour day depending on daylight. He worked so hard for so long. He loved the outdoors. His body did pay a price, I just hope mind is made of the same stuff. The guys and without being sexist because it is guys, these guys have something special within them.
I've mined coal for 23 yrs. I've worked in mines that were 27 inches high and mines that are 16 feet high. Born and raised in Eastern KY . I've worked in KY WV Illinois and Indiana. Most ppl don't know the life of a coal miner and what we would do for our families. Which is why we do what we do.
My brother works in a coal mine and says they sleep a lot down there and it’s easy work. I was going to join him but didn’t want to live around hillbillies
Like many others in here, my grandpa was a coal miner in the beautiful state of WV. Absolutely loved it. Mom’s side of the family has deep routes in WV, out in the middle of absolute nowhere. Spent the best 5 years of my life in Morgantown. Go Mountaineers!
I worked in the mines for 9 years. Started right after high school. Worked 2006-2015. It was hard work but it also taught me to appreciate the job I have now. Teaches you what hard work is.
My father worked 40 years underground in a WV coal mine, Federal No. 2 the same mine he mentioned. No clue who this dude is but this story is pretty wild to see on JRE.
I worked at Fed 2 for 35 years, it isn’t the mine he was talking about. The mines were about 8 miles apart Fed 2 was an Eastern mine Blacksville 2 the mine he meant was a Consol mine. We were all UMWA brothers. Solidarity Forever.
In case you were wondering: October Sky is based on the lives of four young men who grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia. Principal photography took place in rural East Tennessee, including Oliver Springs, Harriman and Kingston in Morgan and Roane counties. The film was a moderate box office success and received very positive critical reception; it continues to be celebrated in the regions of its setting and filming.
Great movie. I grew up around farmers in rural TN. These ppl keep our civilization moving but they are vilified now. Shame. I'm a factory worker and the politicians In cities and college young ones look down at us. They caused trump as they scream at the sky about him. They just needed to not forget us
I never worked in coal. I have worked in hardrock and gilsonite. I had friends in coal who wanted to take me underground. I had an open invitation ti work in coal. The fire that wiped out part of Boulder Colorado was caused by a burning coal seam that ignited grass and surface structures in extremely high wind. A coal seam can burn for hundreds or even thousands if years. I was shown one and could see it glow. It is west of Grand Junction Colorado next to I70.
My father was buried in a coal mine accident and now lives in pain. He became part of the opoid epidemic that targeted miners from the 90s and was also conned into taking a settlement deal which made our lives very difficult.
My granddad worked in a coalmine for 13 years, everyday for 12 hours, 3300 feet beneath the ground. Now he has still charcoal etched in his lungs. Still happy he is here though, those were real working men.🙏
My granddad did 20+years, died in his 60s of a coal lung disease. Have a old black and white photo of him down deep in the mine. Told me many story's of it, sounded absolutely horrendous.
Came across Charles Wesley Godwin early in 2023, and he is an incredibly talented guy. I remember listening for the first time and being like "how is this guy not massive".. guess it was just a matter of time
My cousin, my grandfather and my great-grandfather worked in coal mines in southeast Ohio. My grandfather and his brother happened to be off work the day the Millfield mine exploded. Dozens of men were killed, one of the worst mine disasters in history.
There's a coal mine that's been on fire since 1983 in Centralia PA. I've been there. You smell it all day & smoke comes out of the ground in different spots. Its a never ending burn that they can't figure out how to extinguish. Its out by Bloomsburg college. Centralia turned from a booming coal mine town to a ghost town almost overnight.
Burning since at least 1962, not 1983. Today.. it’s hard to find to notice any smell, or steam/smoke coming out.and it’s not out by bloom college…it’s about 25 minutes south of Bloom..
My grandfather worked in mines in fife Scotland for over 40 years..he ended up being a mine (pit) trainer... retired in the 80s just before the strikes.
My Daddy worked in 28” coal. He said you had to eat lunch on your side. My Papaw worked as an electrician in the mines, Uncles & Great uncles all made their living in there too. Some of the hardest working men ever. I’m thankful for all those men who made this country the great place it is. Proud Logan county, WV resident. 💙💛 Mine wars were a big part of labor movement.
My dad has been a drag line operator at an open pit mine for 40 years and is getting ready to retire this year. Working coal is hard work. It pays well but it's hard shift work and lots of hours.
My dad worked in the uranium mines here in New Mexico in the late 70’s. I’ll remember those stories forever. I 100% respect my fellow hard working SOB’s! In memory of the hardest working man I’ll ever know, my dad. Love you dad we will meet again!
An uncle and cousin worked the mines in Kentucky. My uncle started after getting out of the Army in WW2. I had the chance to go to the entrance of one. This was a taller mine at I would guess 3-4 feet tall. The machines they drove in were wild. This short but wide truck. Mad respect for these men. I wouldn't want to even go in to check it out.
My Great Grandfather, Grandfather and Father all worked in UK coal mines. My Great Grandfather died down a mine, my Grandfather died through bad blood circulation due to working in the coal mine and my Father had so many injuries he retired at 50. Luckily my Father is still going strong at 80 years old God bless. I have the great respect for coal miners.
My cousin works in a Zinc mine in Jefferson, Tn and he used to drive a Sandvik which is a low profile dump truck and he said it's max speed is 13 MPH and it would take him 45 minutes to an hour to get to some spots in the mine going wide open throttle! It's unbelievable how huge it is and how far/deep they actually go!
I was born in Southwestern Virginia in a coal camp. My father worked in the mines in the 40's, 50's and early sixties. I fully thought i was going to be a coal miner too, but due to strikes etc... my family had to move to Northern Virginia in 1964 on my twelfth birthday. Daddy then started working in construction and finally my parents were able to buy some land in Central Virginia where they built a house and raised hogs, chickens and a few cows. It was there dream come true and i am glad they were able to live their remaining years happy. I am also proud to be the son of a coal miner and a coal miner's wife. They were the salt of the earth. Thanks for this video. BTW, I have lots of cousins who still live in West Virginia. Not much mining being sone now and people really having it rough down there.
My great grand dad was a miner near Scranton, Pennsylvania. He died in a mine explosion. I've spent years trying to find out which mine, but no one who knows is alive. I can't find any paperwork as he didn't die in the mine, he was taken home and died at home. I am guessing the mine didn't official report it properly as he didn't die in the mine, but at home. This was the early 1900's.
My grandfather worked in places exactly like what he describes in southeastern Kentucky/northeastern Tennessee for the same company. Terrible stuff. Luckily, he was able to buy his own business after about 5 or 6 years. RIP Papaw.
Coal mining is terrible. I had a friend Derek, that lost his modeling gig and went to work the mines with his Dad. He had 'the black lung' after only a day!
My dads generation was the first to not go into the coal mine, they went into the military and/or became truckers. My dad was a mechanic for the airlines, not to many people want to go into the mines, and for even more people, the mine is no longer an option. The poverty in steel and coal country is staggering, it’s not seen by politicians or ceos. If you care about our country, take a drive through Appalachia, and the mid west for that matter. Our nation needs help.
My Grandfather was a miner at Henderson Colorado he was the last miner in my family but he came from a long line of miners, Its such hard work and so underappreciated.
@@KoopyspappyI was going to say that. 😂 Americans put ironic/ironically & sarcastic/sarcastically in every other sentence & it *never* makes sense lol
I’ve been on the surface of numerous mines across West Virginia and Kentucky for work and I still can’t figure out how these underground miners get around in low coal dragging their huge balls around with them all day. Much respect to you guys. Just from being on the surface and seeing some entry’s I know I never wanna go in one!
I'm originally from Morgantown. My granddad was a miner in the '30s and '40s and he told me the horror stories about the mines. He became company carpenter after experiencing his third cave in. He lived in a company house and shopped at the company store. The mine companies controlled everything. Mine safety has come a long ways since his days. My dad did not work the mines, nor my uncle.
Western Coal Mines are generally surface mines and the seam size is huge compared to the WV, VA, Kentucky area. My buddy worked at an Underground Mine with a crew that pulled the pillars. When they were actively mined a seamed, section of the seam were left to hold up the mine roof. When the seam was worked out, his crew would go back into the mine and recover the coal that remained in the pillars. There were roof falls on the mining machines and would often take hours to dig them out. After if took about 12 hours to dig him out of his second personal roof fall, he found a job above ground.
@@raymonddhedrick9587 I understand that too, but 40% of US production is Wyoming and EIA list no active Underground Mines in the State. North Dakota, Nevada, New Mexico are all predominately surface mines. www.eia.gov/coal/annual/pdf/acr.pdf
Stories like these illuminate the contributions of the men who laid the foundations of modern society. Ironically, while they are often underappreciated, their efforts were essential to the creation and sustenance of the society that tends to look down on them.
Many of my family worked in WV mines. My mom's dad was paralyzed neck down from a coal mine cave in. Think 7 kids in two bedroom home. Salt mines another one under the great lakes. Crazy stuff.
Charles "Coal miners are strong men" Joe "Do you think a coal miner could beat a chimp in a fight?" Charles "What? No. I just meant...." Joe "Jamie, pull up hairless jacked chimps so Charles can compare, please."
Joe Rogan should start picking out a different job and interview regular people from a different place each time! A good way to give a voice to the people of this great country of ours!
Having worked UG at both a uranium mine and potash mine, and looking into the process of coal mining, man do I have respect for those miners. Safety now is insane in comparison to the time frame spoken off. Can’t even fart without writing a pre-op checklist.
1st and also a fellow West Virginia and a former coal miner from wheeling wv I worked for Murray Energy as a roof bolter! Hell yeah! Way to put WV on the map!’
That's because a lot of you don't chase big money lol. Coal mines and the oil and gas industry was some of the most lucrative business before Democrats fucked it up. Out of highschool I was making 160k a year in the oilfield.
My grandfather was a cool miner on Cabin Creek in West Virginia. He got out and moved to Florida, so that his kids didn't have to work in the mines. This past fall I had the chance to hunt up at the head waters of Cabin Creek and near KFord where he worked.
My grandfather & great grandfather worked in the coal mine in Kentucky in the 50's-60's. My great grandpa was completely crushed from a collapse killed instantly and his son had to clean up his remains and get him out to have a proper burial. A few years later my grampa got crushed by a trolly to the point they thought he would die on site. He broke every rib in his body and said his eyes were hanging out of his head, fortunately he survived he's was in the hospital for a little over a month and was almost good as new after recovery. He past away 2 years ago at age 78 which ain't too bad for a miner! I respect coal miners from the stories I was told as a kid, those men are built different than ordinary people. -thanks for reading a little piece of my family's story
My dad, both grandpas, 4 or 5 uncles, many cousins and friends worked in the coal mines. There are just a few who still ave a job. After Obama and Biden, they’re almost all gone here. Just a few scattered over East KY, WVA and VA are barely going. Miles under mountains, walking and crawling around with a wheat lamp on their heads. My grandpa actually used carbide lamps when he first started in the 40s. Dangerous and bad for your health.
WV. Born and raised. Same as many others, alot of our family and friends were and still are miners. Risking life to support family and keel the world's lights on. God bless em all. 🙏
Grandpa worked the Pennsylvania coal mines since he was a small boy. Died of Black Lung. He was a tapper as his last position. A mountain of a man. I miss him so much.
My papa recently passed away from lung cancer. He was a coal miner from age 10-19 in Martin, Kentucky (early 60s) until he was sent off to the Vietnam War where he was on the Cambodian border. theyd be attacked almost every night. He was there two years and was poisoned by Agent orange. 20 years would go by and skin cancer was rampant, he would beat that. Only for Lung cancer to get him at 72….Those mines caught up with him he said. God Bless all the Miners and Veterans….they put their livelihoods on the line for our luxuries in life. THANK YOU.
My grandpa started in the coal mines in WV at 12yrs old for 25cents a day! He worked in a mine till he got black lung and the dr told him move away from the mines and he packed up and moved to Florida. He started in the mines in the early 30’s
I've been to Centralia 3 times. It's pretty wild. They even had to reroute the highway around the town cause the section through town was collapsing. I've walked the old highway and walked through the neighborhoods. There's steam vents all over. You can feel the warmth and feel the moisture on your hand by the vent. People have been dumping trash there for decades, and it all just slowly cooks itself. The ground surface isn't warm to the touch, only near the vents. But there have been local collapses. I think a few people have fallen in over the years. Bodies in the cemeteries burned up, some were relocated. The entire area is really unsafe just to walk around. The last few residents were forced out only a few years back. The only thing left in the town, ironically, is an active fire station (at least it was active last time I was there).
I was a coal miner. I worked NW colorado (20 mile), breifly Somerset County PA (Kimberly Run and Quecreek), Greene County PA (Emerald and then shortly Cumberland). I lost my job in 2015 after i got in an argument w the superintendent right when they were getting ready to lay people off. I became a nurse. Nursing is harder, I think. But the life of a coal miner is way harder.
A bunch of my friend's dads and some of my friends worked in the Consol mines he is talking about. My dad worked in the mine for a very short time in the 70's and was like nope. My grandfather died of black lung in the 60's from coal mining.
