Community Gathers for 5th Annual Willow Grove Mine Memorial Service, Honoring 1940 Tragedy
In 1940, a tragic explosion took the lives of many mine workers at the Willow Grove Mine in Belmont County. Now, 85 years later, the community gathered for the 5th Annual Anniversary Memorial Service to honor their memory.
"I am humbled each year I come to this memorial. The day of the tragic Willow Grove explosion my grandfather was likely in a mine that day, in this area," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga. "I am honored to represent the entire Ohio trade union movement in paying respect to the miners that are memorialized here and their families."
The ceremony began with the flag being lowered to half-staff, followed by a keynote address from Cecil Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America.
For Irene Cych, the tragedy remains deeply personal. She was just nine years old when her father was killed in the explosion. "I can remember seeing a lot of cars going past our house. My mother was 42, expecting a baby, and my sister was born six days later. It was a hard time," said Cych, reflecting on the painful memory.
For decades, there was no formal tribute at the actual site of the incident until Mel Woods, Financial Secretary of UMWA Local 1304, and a small group of individuals stepped up and took action. "Everybody knew that it happened, but very little was being done to honor the fallen miners," Woods explained.