To the company
For the last ten years, two months, and 12 days I have dedicated my life to you.
I made it a choice to stay and be faithful to the company.
I have been grateful for the life you have given me.
In the last ten years I have seen the good times and the bad times.
I have seen production records shattered but at the same time, I have seen hearts shattered.
Shattered because the family just found out that their dad or son isn’t coming home tonight.
If that isn’t dedication, I don’t know what is sacrificing your life daily.
We educate ourselves as workers to keep up with the times to be better for you.
To produce more, to make the green, to help be successful.
We go to work every day knowing our jobs.
I don’t know if it’s easy for you to tear this community apart, I ask you that.
I have seen people come and go but the ones that have chosen to stay become your family.
I spend more time with these people than my family.
The hours that we dedicate to the mine, it’s hard not to put these people as your family.
Their stories become yours and their life is shared every day with you.
You share the minutes of the day on the same ground.
Donating minutes of your life for the same purpose in mind.
Striving for the same goal, we cry together, we get mad together, we get sad together.
This is why this is so hard for me, not just because it’s a life altering event.
I guess what I really want to say is I have met so many great people these last ten years.
I’m grateful for every wonderful soul that I have got to have come in contact.
I appreciate the guys and all the work they do under ground.
I’m so thankful for the valley and taking me in.
I pray that we don’t get ripped apart, as our community is so close and supportive.
We have to give to god and let him do his work.
I pray that the minds of the people against are opened and realize how big of an impact this will have on all of us.
I pray for the valley and all of us in it.
May god bless you all, stand together!
Martin Munoz, Lucky Friday Mill Hand
Pinehurst