We Never Forget
December 19, 2024, marked the 40th anniversary of the Wilberg Mine Disaster that claimed the lives of 27 coal miners and company officials. A massive fire broke out in the mine, trapping the miners. Despite heroic efforts by mine rescue teams from Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, the fire took over the mine. There were no survivors and the mine had to be sealed.
Families were devastated to receive the horrific news just days before Christmas, 1984. It took nearly a year before the mine was unsealed and the bodies of the fallen miners recovered. Rescuers, families of the victims and members of the community pledged to never forget the tragedy and despair of their loved ones.
On September 19, 2024, a special twopart ceremony was held in honor of the victims, beginning with the UMWA’s traditional evergreen ceremony at the Wilberg Memorial site west of Orangeville, Utah, just below the Wilberg Mine.
“And now, our fellow worker, we pay the last sad rite and tribute of respect, the last one we can pay you in this world, placing on your grave these evergreens as a token of respect, that thy memory shall be with us always, though thou hast paid the debt and hast gone to the realms above,” President Roberts recited from the UMWA Burial Service in the Union’s Constitution.
“The UMWA evergreen service is one of the sincerest tributes we can give to our fallen brothers and sisters after they have passed and provides comfort to their families. Coal miners have paid a tremendous debt to our country, and they should be honored with dignity upon their passing,” said Roberts. Everyone who attended was invited to lay an evergreen at the base of the memorial.
Lighting Ceremony Held in Honor of Fallen Miners
A lighting ceremony was held at Utah State University’s Geary Theater in Price, Utah, later that evening. The American Legion Post 3 presented the colors, followed by an opening prayer by Local Union 1769 member Don Lou Shelley. Brother Shelley also serves as a member of the District 22 Chaplain Corps. International District 22 Vice President Mike Dalpiaz, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety Joe Main, Secretary-Treasurer Sanson and President Roberts all delivered heartfelt speeches to the crowd.
Dalpiaz expressed his deepest condolences to family members and friends of the 27 miners who perished in the Wilberg Mine. “To all of the family members and to each and every one here in remembrance of their loved ones, I am sorry,” said Dalpiaz.
“I have visited with family members many times over the years, and we still talk often,” Dalpiaz said. “We talk about this tragedy and how we can work to make sure something like this never happens again. There have been many changes in mine safety laws because of these types of incidents, and it is my hope that it gives you some peace that your dad, uncle, brother or sister did not die in vain.”
Dalpiaz read the names of each fallen miner while a slideshow was played. As each name was read, a light representing each miner was illuminated by a family member. He then introduced Secretary-Treasurer Sanson. “I was only 11 years old when this disaster happened,” said Sanson.
“I have read about it, I’ve heard others talk about it, but you never get the full appreciation of the devastation of a tragedy like Wilberg until you talk to those who were part of the rescue teams or to family members,” Sanson said. “We have an obligation as leaders to remember the miners and families who were affected by this loss, because the moment we forget will be the moment we are faced with more coal miners and more families affected by a tragedy that could have been prevented.”
Sanson thanked those in attendance for the opportunity to speak and spoke of what an honor it was to be there. He then introduced President Roberts who offered remarks to those who oversaw inspecting the mine during the initial stages of the disaster and to all the mine rescuers who risked their own lives trying to save their fellow miner.
Roberts spoke about the true heroes in the aftermath of the disaster; the families and spouses who were left behind. “The person who was making a living to support that family is not there anymore. They lost their loved one. It’s devastating,” Roberts said.
“There were car payments to be made, house payments to be made, medical bills, groceries, maybe college to be paid for,” Roberts said. “The income of that family stopped right there when that fire came through and took their lives. Just likethat, families were changed forever. To all the families that were affected by the Wilberg Mine Disaster, your loved ones will never be forgotten. The UMWA will make sure that never happens.”
The morning and evening ceremonies were held in September due to the possible extreme weather conditions in Utah in December. “We wanted to make sure that family members and those who had to travel across the country to be here for this sacred event would be able to do so safely. I would like to thank everyone who was able to come out in honor of our miners who tragically lost their lives on December 19, 1984,” said Dalpiaz.
| Victims of the Wilberg Mine Disaster |
| Phillip Bell |
| Bert Bennett |
| James Bertuzzi |
| David Bocook (Mine Manager) |
| Ricci Camberlango |
| Curtis Carter |
| Robert Christensen |
| Vic Cingolani (General Mine Foreman) |
| Gordon Conover |
| Randy Curry |
| Owen Curtis |
| Roger Glenn Ellis |
| James Hamlin (EMC Vice President of Operations) |
| Leroy Hersh |
| Brian Howard |
| Barry Jacobs |
| Gary Jennings |
| Lee Johansen |
| Joel Nevitt |
| Alex Poulos (General Mine Foreman Longwall) |
| Kelly Riddle |
| Ray Snow |
| Lynn Robinson |
| John Waldoch |
| Lester Walls, Jr. |
| Nanette Wheeler |
| John Wilsey |
