elainemcmillion:

Above are renderings for the Upper Big Branch Miners’ Memorial dedicated to the 29 miners that lost their lives in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in April of 2010.

“The plaza and monument will include interpretive signage located around the site and a plaque dedicated to the courageous actions of the first responders and mine rescue teams. Etched on the back of the 48’ monument will be a brief history of coal in WV, a memorial to all fallen coal miners and a tribute to the makeshift memorial that stood for a year after the accident on that same spot. The memorial will be built in Whitesville, WV which is located about 5 miles from the site of the disaster and was ground zero for media and first responders in the hours immediately following the explosion. Completion of the memorial is expected this Spring.”