Danny L. Jones, James Otis Woods, Steven Cain, Victor Goudy, Mark McIntyre, and William D. Wade. These are the names of men whose lives were remembered and honored, as they represent the six coal mining fatalities in West Virginia since the 2008 Coal Festival.

Danny L. Jones, 38, was a coal truck driver who died Aug. 22, on a haul road at Bluestone Coal Company. The driver exited his vehicle while it was in motion and was apparently run over by the truck.

James Otis Woods, age unknown, was a bulldozer operator and foreman with an independent contractor. He was injured at a Nicholas County surface mine on Sept. 19. He had been operating a bulldozer on a steep slope when it overturned and rolled four or five times. Woods remained hospitalized until he passed away on Oct. 4.

Steven Cain, 32, was a red hat coal miner at the Justice Mine in Boone County. A fatal accident occurred at the underground mine when Cain was struck by a track-mounted supply car and was pinned against the mine rib. The accident occurred when a trip of mine cars were being pushed into a rail spur on Oct. 8.

Victor Goudy, 58, was employed at McElroy Coal Company, in Marshall County. A fatal haulage accident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 19. Goudy was fatally injured while standing between a trip of dollies and a 27-ton locomotive.

Mark McIntyre, 57, also was employed at McElroy Coal Company, in Marshall County. McIntyre died Dec. 29, at the Ireland River Loadout. A drowning accident occurred when McIntyre disappeared while checking the moored river barges for excessive amounts of water in the cargo area of the barges.

William D. Wade, age unknown, was driving a Kenworth tractor-trailer coal truck downhill on Cabin Creek haulage road, when he lost control of the vehicle and overturned. He died from injuries he sustained during the accident on Ge. 6, at the Elk Run Coal Co., in Fayette County.

“As we remember those who we have lost over the past year, we’d like you to be in solemn reflection,” Larry V. Lodato said.

The opening ceremonies and miners memorial service was held Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of the Boone County Courthouse.

The Master of Ceremonies was Joy Underwood, president of the West Virginia Coal Festival.

Following an opening march by the Madison Civil Air Patrol and posting of the colors and pledge by VFW Post 5578, an invocation was given by Dr. Frank Frye.

This was followed by the reading of the names of the six coal miners, noted above, who were killed this past year.

Miss West Virginia Coal Festival 2009, Mari Holliday, from Ripley, encouraging others to “Consider the sweat and tears [work of the coal miner] that made these simplicities [electricity] possible.”

Miss Teen West Virginia Coal Festival was introduced. Jessi Kiddy, 15, of Van Jr./Sr. High School had the honor of being crowned Miss Teen W.Va. Coal Festival this year.

Rev. Tom Bias, spoke regarding what coal mining means to Boone County. “Coal is to Boone County as blood is to life,” he began.

“Coal production and coal mining statistics in 2007, say that there are 4,122 coal miners and 102 coal mines operating,” Bias said.

“For every job or position, it is estimated that there are 5 to 8 jobs in the community created because of that,” he said.

Bias noted that the educational system in Boone County relies heavily on the coal industry and summarized by stating, “Coal is our heritage.”

Be Be Cole, soloist singer and songwriter, performed a few of her songs for the crowd, including “Help me say goodbye.”

The lighting of the coal miner’s torch officially concluded the memorial service and the beginning of Coal Festival 2009. Look for additional photos in the B-section of this week’s Coal Valley News and on our web site at www.coalvalleynews.com .