(Nashville, TN) New York Times best-selling author Homer Hickam of Rocket Boys/October Sky fame is pushing for a National Miners Day and asking for support of a scholarship for the children of mine rescue team members.

Hickam, a former miner himself and the son and grandson of coal miners, became the passionate voice of miners during the Quecreek, Sago and Utah mine disasters when his expert commentary was sought by national television networks. He was the first commentator who stated on air that the Quecreek miners would likely be found alive. This was based on his personal knowledge of the training and savvy of miners. His keynote address during the memorial service for the Sago miners was carried live around the country and received accolades for its eloquence and passion. Now, Hickam is dedicated to the creation of a long overdue special day to appropriately honor America’s miners. According to Hickam, "Over 50 percent of the nation's energy resources comes from coal and without this resource, our economy would collapse. It is in fact the coal miner who keeps this country humming. I intend to support these brave and hard-working Americans in any way I can."

In support of a special day for miners, Hickam is working in tandem with several local and national political leaders as well as the Miners Day Memorial Association, Fairmont, West Virginia.

Hickam is also putting his money where his mouth is by establishing the Red Helmet Scholarship at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va. The scholarship will benefit the children of mine rescue team members. During his national book tour for his new novel Red Helmet, Hickam will be alerting his fans on how to contribute to the mine rescue scholarship and also how to support National Miners Day efforts. "Mr. Hickam’s desire to help children of mine rescue team members through a scholarship opportunity is a wonderful and lasting tribute," said Marshall University’s Lynne Mayer.

A tale set in a contemporary West Virginia coal mining town, Red Helmet is dedicated to "Mine Rescue Teams Everywhere," and is Hickam’s first writing foray back to the Appalachian coalfields since the worldwide success of his "Coalwood" series. That acclaimed trilogy included the New York Times #1 bestseller Rocket Boys, the basis of the film October Sky which starred Jake Gyllenhaal as Hickam.