Friends of Coal Honor Mine Rescue Teams,

    The Friends of Coal on March 2 honored mine rescue teams from across West Virginia. Hundreds of Friends of Coal visited the state Capitol to show support for the coal industry and to say thanks to the mine rescue teams that have been at the forefront of several emergencies during the first two months of this year. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia Coal Association Board Chairman Randy Hansford, of Riverton Coal, Inc., and three Friends of Coal spokesmen - former football coaches Don Nehlen and Bob Pruett and retired Air Force four-star Gen. Robert “Doc” Fogelsong - were among those praising the work of our state’s mine rescue teams during a packed-house afternoon ceremony in the West Virginia Cultural Center Theater. The majority of the state’s more than 30 mine rescue teams were represented at the event.