There are those who came before us who lost their lives.
They didn’t know when they went into the mine that day that something would happen — a spark, an explosion, a fire. They didn’t know that when they said goodbye to their families and grabbed their lunch pail that day, it would be the last time. They didn’t know their widows would huddle together waiting for word, losing all hope of a safe recovery.
And they certainly did not know that through the horrific accidents that caused their deaths, our industry would learn very difficult lessons. They did not know their deaths were not in vain — others would go down into safer mines on other days because of advancements in safety technology.
No, they were doing their job. They were doing what they could to put food on the table and keep shoes on the kids.
But we owe them more than we could ever pay back.
Today is Miner’s Day, a grassroots effort started right here in Marion County six years ago, and the date coincides with the death of more than 350 miners in the twin Monongah mines of No. 6 and No. 8 on the morning of Dec. 6, 1907 — the most horrific mine disaster our county has ever known. But the day also honors the 78 men who died Nov. 20, 1968, in an explosion at the Farmington No. 9 mine.
And the day honors the 12 miners who were killed Jan. 2, 2006, in the Sago mine in Upshur County. And the day honors those killed in smaller-scale accidents. And those who spent their careers in the mines, helping build the area’s economy. And those who still today make their living underground, mining the coal that runs our country.
The day honors the yet-to-be-identified bulldozer operator sucked into the Robinson Run slurry impoundment last week in Harrison County, as well as the 18 coal miners killed this year across the nation.
There is no currency known to man that could ever pay the debt of gratitude we owe them. But we can start by taking today and honoring miners, past, present and future.
Opinion
Americans owe nation’s miners more than they can pay back
- Opinion
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A complete commitment: When fathers become dads
On the third Sunday of June each year, we observe Father’s Day. This is extra special to Fairmont because the first celebration was observed here in The Friendly City. Over the years of annual observance, the role of father has taken on many new and varied duties.
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What’s the solution for funding highways?
There was a time when the federal government put substantial highway dollars in the states to match funds for projects.
That was two wars and a recession ago, though. That was when Congress had its differences but could pass a bill or two every now and again. -
Valley Falls great recreational area, but don’t ignore the rules on safety
The signs at Valley Falls State Park couldn’t be more clear:
“Danger. Rocks are slippery. Hazardous currents and rapids. Swimming and wading prohibited.”
The signs also note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited and that the minimum fine for violating the rules is $167. -
Following court decision, let’s move on, see FGH ‘grow and thrive’
We don’t think anyone would argue the point that our community and its leaders need to be forward-thinking, forward-moving and focused on the bricks that will pave the pathway to the future.
Sometimes there’s a disagreement about that future. And sometimes those disagreements have to be settled. -
Gary Price strong as superintendent, in position to bring stability to schools
“An evaluation of a superintendent is not intended to find fault, but is a measuring tool to see how effective one is doing and see if any improvement or concentration in any area needs to be worked out to make one better.”
This was Marion County Board of Education president James Saunders reading a prepared statement prior to going into discussion about the status of Superintendent Gary Price. -
Livelihood of people at center of Patriot Coal case
The bankruptcy of Patriot Coal is far more complicated than many of us will ever understand.
What complicates it is people. This isn’t just about paperwork and reorganization. The livelihood of workers and those who spent years in the mine are at stake here. -
Relay for Life: A reason to give thanks but much work to be done
The annual Marion County Relay for Life was held Friday inside the Falcon Center on the shared campus of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College — moved indoors for the first time because of weather. It was held three weeks after Mannington’s Relay for Life, also a growing, annual event held this year at Hough Park.
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Judge’s ruling about Patriot Coal is ‘tragic’ and a ‘travesty’
We wonder how many readers were angered when they read the top story in the Times West Virginian on May 30.
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D-Day reminder of ‘great and noble undertaking’ made during World War II
It was nearly 70 years ago that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was offering the following words to soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:
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All must invest time, effort and funding to keep our children safe
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare — watching your child taken away in an ambulance following an accident, not knowing the full extent of their injuries.
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A complete commitment: When fathers become dads
