Fitting tribute — Miner’s memorial receives due designation

We applaud the decision of the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to designate the Richlands Coal Miner’s Memorial as the officials Coal Miner’s Memorial for the Commonwealth.

It is only proper and fitting that such an official memorial be located in Southwest Virginia and in the heart of the region’s historic coalfields.

Kaine has signed into law House Bill 2278 that designates the Richlands Coal Miner’s Memorial as the state’s official coal miner’s memorial. The bill was originally introduced by Delegate Dan Bowling, D-Tazewell, and supported by members of the Southwest Virginia delegation.

The monument was originally unveiled by the town of Richlands in 2003. It was erected as a way to pay proper tribute to miners across Southwest Virginia who lost their lives while working on the job. The names of more than 1,200 miners are currently etched on the memorial, and town officials are now hoping to have additional names added to the memorial in advance of an upcoming unveiling ceremony in the town.

The state designation is a welcomed boon to the greater Richlands region. But, more importantly, it is a proper and fitting tribute to those brave men and women who have died in the mines. For a region that was built upon coal, it is only proper that we pay tribute to our miners.

Coal is our past, our present and our future. An official state memorial in the heart of the historic coalfields of Southwest Virginia is long overdue.

Ginger Branton, executive director of the Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce, is calling upon the community and the region for help in identifying the names of additional miners from Tazewell, Buchanan or Russell counties who died while in the mines.

Branton said those with any information regarding miners who were involved in a mining accident — whose names are not currently on the Richlands Coal Miner’s Memorial — are asked to contact the chamber at (276) 963-3385. The information also can be e-mailed to the chamber at richlandschamber@roadrunner.com.

A death certificate or newspaper article for proof of accident and death is required, Branton said. The deadline for submitting names is June 22.

Branton said at least 10 more names are needed before additions can be made to the existing memorial wall.

We join Branton and members of the coal miner’s memorial in calling upon the community to help complete the list of names of miners who should be added to the official Coal Miner’s Memorial for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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