On April 5, 2010 29 coal miners lost their lives at the Upper Big Branch Mine at Montcoal in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Below are two heartbreaking videos about the men that lost their lives in this tragic mine disaster.
Slideshow memorial to 29 miners killed at Montcoal.
A Tribute To the Miners and Their Families.
I’m a Coal Miner’s Daughter, (Christine Brunty) of Jesse & Goldie. My Dad worked at Amherst for many years, starting with Lundale mines and then across the hill to Slagle at the deep mine for Amherst Coal. Paragon Mine is what it was called. We’d moved from Lundale to Yolyn (Rumcreek)
I married at age 19 (Gary Branham) and my husband was also a coal miner at the Paragon Mines, as was his Dad (Bernard) and 2- brothers, Phillip and Steve. I was raised up in coal camps and remained there till my husband was disabled and retired from work in 1982. We then moved to Ky in September 1983. I have good memories of my life and times living a Coal Miner’s daughter and Wife. We were raised up with good parents who taught us about Jesus and the importance of going to church, maybe some had both parents in church. Some had only one parent in church but we knew that it was important and we went to learn about our Lord and Savior. I wouldn’t change anything for those years and never forget how much the Coal Miner’s family cared for each other’s families. Kids were so much happier than they are today, they played outside and enjoyed doing things. Seemed each little community had their own pick of friends and always were together. Happiest times were back in the day!!! I Love my life Coal Miner’s Life.
What a chilling, sad, true song. Miner’s are my heros. My dad and father-in-law were both miners in Logan County.
Both of my grandfathers were coal miners and my father as well who worked for Massey. I remember that we were always worried about him. My heart and prayers go out to the miners that lost their lives and to their grieving families.