Remember who paid for
your right to demean state
I was born and raised in a small mining camp (No.9) outside of Farmington. I left my beautiful home state many years ago to serve my country in the U.S. Navy.
I have always been and will continue to be extremely proud that I am from West Virginia. Since the beginning of the 20th century,
2,609 proud West Virginia coal miners, many of them my friends, have lost their lives trying to make a living and support their families.
Anyone, including the cast of “West Virginia Wilder,” have a constitutional right to express your opinions about how you view yourselves and others from West Virginia. But let me also share with you how you came to have this right.
West Virginians, including myself, have always served our country with pride and dignity. The rights that we all hold dear were paid for by individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice. West Virginia, although a small state, has paid dearly.
Here are some statistics. During World War I, 1,820 West Virginians paid for your freedom with their lives. In World War II, that number grew to 7,045. In the Korean War, 1,388 proud Mountaineers died. During the Vietnam War, 1,183 sons and daughters of the Mountain State paid with their lives. Most recently, 11 brave West Virginians gave their lives for our country.
So here is my challenge to all of you. If you can stand toe to toe, eye to eye with any of the family members of the 2,609 miners or the 11,447 heroes and convince them that what you are doing would honor their loved one’s sacrifice, then do it — you have the right. Just remember who paid for it.
James F. Ross
Chesapeake, Va.
