Crowds mark deaths of miners 1 year ago

Massey Energy Co., which owns the Upper Big Branch Mine where the men died, shut down production at its other Appalachian sites as politicians, miners, and family members turned out for commemorations of the nation’s worst coal-field disaster since 1970. Two miners survived the blast.

“We’re here today to observe the sacrifice of 29 men,’’ acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said after laying a wreath at the state coal miners’ memorial on the Capitol grounds. The wreath of yellow roses was adorned with a black banner saying, “From a grateful people.’’

“Keep the miners’ families in our prayers as we go through the rest of the day,’’ Tomblin said.

The small service was the first in a series of public and private events marking the first anniversary of the explosion. Others are planned for a Beckley church and an elementary school some 8 miles from the site of the blast.

“We’re a small community and so everybody knew somebody who was involved directly or indirectly,’’ said Mick Bates, who is helping organize a public memorial in Beckley. Organizers are asking people to wear stripes on their clothing to mimic the reflective tape that miners wear underground.