Group Plans Miners Monument, Museum
By GEORGE HOHMANN
Plans were to be unveiled in Fairmont today for a scholarship fund, monument and museum dedicated to past, present and future miners.
Roy Lee Cooke, one of the “Rocket Boys” made famous in Homer Hickam’s book and the 1999 movie, “October Sky,” will lead the effort as president of the newly formed Miner’s Day Memorial Association.
Cooke was to announce at a press conference that two funds have been created:
* The Miner’s Day Scholarship Fund, an endowment fund to support mining-related community education and scholarship.
* The Miner’s Monument Fund, to erect a monument and a museum in honor of miners past, present and future. Cooke was expected to announce that the organization plans to build the monument and museum just north of the downtown exit of Interstate 79.
In remarks prepared for delivery at today’s event, Cooke said, “Mining has long been the heart and soul of West Virginia, and our organization was created to recognize all who have labored hard and sacrificed much to the profession of mining.
“We also know that family is central to the life of every miner and we plan to include that bond in this memorial concept,” Cooke said. “We are making a commitment to help preserve and promote the history of diverse mining people and their vibrant cultures in West Virginia and throughout the United States.”
Today’s event was organized by Creed Holden of Fairmont, an artist and Web site designer who last year spearheaded a successful effort to have the West Virginia Legislature establish a Miners’ Day.
The day – Dec. 6 – was established by a concurrent resolution of the state Legislature. Dec. 6 is the anniversary of the Monongah Mine Disaster, the nation’s worst mining disaster. This year is the 100th anniversary of that event.
Holden is now leading an effort to have the United States Congress create a commemorative National Miner’s Day.
Information about the state day is posted on the Internet at www.minersday.org.
Donations to the Miner’s Day Scholarship Fund can be made in care of the WesBanco Trust Department, 301 Adams St., Fairmont, WV 26554. Holden said the fund will be managed by the Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia Inc.
Donations to the Miner’s Monument Fund should be sent to First Exchange Bank, 216 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554.
Contact writer George Hohmann at business@dailymail.com or 348- 4836.
Originally published by DAILY MAIL BUSINESS EDITOR.
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