The Rocket Boys
	Homer Hickam, Jr., nicknamed Sonny was the guest of honor along with the other Rocket Boys for October Sky Festival. As a successful engineer and now a renowned author, Homer returns to Coalwood to give back to the community.
	Billy Rose, was first introduced in chapter 10 of The Rocket Boys as he persisted in asking to be a part of the Big Creek Missile Association. He was first valued for ability a a runner to track down the test rockets.
	Roy Lee Cooke Roy Lee was a founding member of the Big Creek Missile Agency and was to become one of the original Rocket Boys. Roy Lee retired after 25 years as a banker.
	Jimmy O'dell Carroll In the Rocket Boys, you will remember O'dell as Sonny's match maker. In real life, we found him to be a wonderful teller of stories and a fan of teachers everywhere. O'dell had careers in the Air Force, insurance, and now farming.
	Family and Friends of the Rocket Boys
	Elsie Hickam Is was cold in the park, but Mrs. Hickam enjoyed visiting with everyone. At the end of the day I visited with her here as she escaped to the warmth of her car. She confirmed for me that Chipper the squirrel was indeed real and every bit the character that Homer paints him in The Coalwood Way..
	Zanice "Ginger" Danzler Muckler In The Coalwood Way, Homer and Ginger are the "perfect couple" and the closest of friends. My expectations were high after getting to know the Ginger in Homer's book and meeting the real Ginger was a wonderful treat! Ginger Danzler became a professional singer.
	Mrs. Eleanor Marie Danzler Mrs. Danzler standing here with Ginger was Homer's piano teacher in The Coalwood Way.
	Iva Grey Dean Ms. Dean is the sister of Freida Joy Riley the teacher who made such a difference in the lives of the Rocket Boys and in the lives of other students at Big Creek High School. Ms. Dean also became a teacher.
	Mr. Turner Mr. Turner was the principal at Big Creek High School when the Rocket Boys attended. We enjoyed asking him about his memories of Coalwood.
	Red Carroll Red Carroll is O'Dell's Dad and the garbageman that rounded up supplies for the Rocket Boys. Red still lives in Coalwood and acts as the tour guide for many who come to see where it all happened.
	William "Bill" Bolt Mr. Bolt, was the company machinist who helped the Rocket Boys with their rockets, was called Leon Ferro in the book and Leon Bolden in the movie October Sky. In "The Coalwood Way", he gets back his real name.
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