Goldie Huffman and John Huffman, John Huffman and wife Goldie Basagic Huffman, both Class of 1974, celebrated their 43^rd wedding anniversary.

Goldie wrote:

“Happy Anniversary to my hubby of 43 years. We have accomplished so much in these years. Erik and Brooke, who married two special people, Katie and Adam. And 8 wonderful grandchildren. Avery, Winnie, Jackson, Maggie, Riley, John, Brynlynn and our James. I can't imagine life without u. Love you.”

I have a special place in my heart for John Huffman because, like another John, my late father, John W. Olesky, Sr., he is a retired coal miner.

These men are as much heroes to me as those who served in the military because they put their lives on the line every day they went into that underground tomb to put bed on the table, a roof over the head and clothes on the backs of their families.

My dad survived TWO coal mine cave-ins when both times rescuers had to pull off at least four feet of coal to get to any part of his body. Black lung got him in the end, but not till after years of torturous efforts to keep breathing.

John Huffman retired in 2014 after 38 years of putting his life on the line to support his family.

Before marrying John, Goldie grew up in the coal-mining Basagic family so she has waited at home prayerfully and fearfully for nearly all of her life.

Goldie once worked for the federal government.

Brooke Pethel, Goldie and John Huffman’s daughter, is married to Adam Pethtel. Their son, Erik Huffman, is married to Katie.

Goldie once was a Monongah High cheerleader alongside Barbra Eller Aldridge Hanning, Class of 1974; Patty DeMary Evans, Class of 1972; Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, Monongahfest president married to Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975; and Debbie Basagic Bragg, Class of 1972.

When they weren’t cheering for the Lions, they would drive to the Saban service station on Helens Run near Worthington and check out Nick Saban’s bare chest as he washed cars at his father’s business.

That’s the same Brother who is the Alabama football coach making a zillion dollars a year as the #1 college coach in America who quarterbacked Monongah High to the 1968 state football title.