By: Betty Holcomb
On March 30, 2023, Charles E. Bird of Lizemores was honored by the United Mine Workers of America with an 80 Year Pin. UMWA President Cecil Roberts had the honor of pinning Mr. Bird, who was the first person to ever be recognized for this length of membership.
Mr. Bird worked in the coal industry from 1943-1983 and still pays his dues to the organization each month to this day. He started shoveling coal while on his knees because that was all the room there was, he had to crawl to get anywhere, and he had to hold his dinner bucket in his teeth. From there he worked his way to running the coal feed and cleaner in the coal tipple. He has had held many different titles in this industry. He was blessed to have only broken his nose and one finger during his time in the mines.
Mr. Bird left the mines from 1943-1946 to protect his country in WWII, where the UMWA covered his dues while he was defending American in the European Theater. Mr. Bird landed in Normandy on D+46 where he was a jeep driver and drove in England, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Czechoslovakia, and Germany. When peace was declared eh helped occupy Hitler’s Hideout in Berchtesgaden for three months.
Mr. Bird is celebrating 98 years and loves to talk daily on his ham radio. Congratulations Mr. Bird, and thank you for your service.
