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Rocket Boys of the Big Creek Missile Agency |
Coalwood and the Hickams at Christmas in 1959
"I led her to the edge of the roof. Beneath us, in the lights from the
company buildings, the snow glistened as if a giant had scattered a
billion diamonds across the ground. The air was fragrant with hay and
Christmas greens. In the distance, I could hear the gurgling of the
little creek that ran behind the machine shop, and up on the mountains
the low note of the winter wind passing through the leafless trees.
Coalwood's industrial symphony had paused, just for a moment, to listen
to the ancient things that someday would reclaim their places... Then I
realized it was past midnight, and it was Christmas, the last one I would
ever know as a Coalwood boy. I stood, watching, and listening, and
smelling the fragrances, and then I knew that it wasn't so, that I would
never leave Coalwood, not at Christmas or any other time. Coalwood was
my potter's wheel. It had shaped me into who I was. And no matter where
I went or what I did, I would forever be a Coalwood boy..."
- Taken from the book, The Coalwood Way.
Coalwood and the Hickams at Christmas in 1959
Navy ceremonies terminating Government possession of Coalwood
Captain Laird (left) and Homer Hickam, Sr., at dinner at the Club House
Big Creek High School band's head drummer Sonny (Homer, Jr.) Hickam
Big Creek Missile Agency in the snow. L-R: Sonny and Roy Lee - Front: O'Dell
An old Christmas card; Sonny (Homer, Jr.) & Jim Hickam
The company Santa hands out gifts to the citizens of Coalwood at the Company Store
Jim, Sonny, and their cousin, Frankie
The company Santa hands out books to the children
The Reverend "Little" Richard's church
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Newsletter & Photos - Coalwood Photos Page 2