Dola Mining Disaster, April 25,1963

Thanks for the nice article.  My hushand and his sister and many others worked hard to get the memorial in place.  It has been a healing place for the wives, children and family members

Thanks so very much for this posting.  I was in elementary school in Salem WV. when this occured.  One of my class mates lost her father in this disaster.  I am sure the memorial means alot to her and her family.

I happened to come across this today.  Thank you for posting this.   I have only visited the memorial during the winter so it was nice to see all the pretty green.  My grandfather is Roy Hanna who was killed in the explosion.  Some of my family was involved in putting this memorial together.  I think it is a beautiful tribute to these men and their families. 

I also am a Grandaughter of Roy Hanna. The 50th anniversary is coming up and I am in charge of the event. We would love for everyone to come and get the word out about the event. It will be Saturday April 20, 2013 at the Memorial at 2:00pm. For more info call Nickie Fortney-Arnold at 304-476-4942.

My Grandfather Denzil Hawkinberry lost his life in that explosion. Very sad. I would have loved to have met him. My Grandmother Lillian is 95 now and has never stopped being married to him. She is a wonderful lady. I never got to meet my grandfather, but I am glad that we have my grandma still. She has so many good stories of the good ole days. My thoughts and prayers to the other families effected by this tragedy. - Tim Hawkinberry

I remember my father took me down into that mine about a week before the explosion. I did not like all the darkness. My father was shook up about the explosion and all the friends he had lost.

THEY MIS SPELLED MY UNCLES NAME ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE. IT WAS HAWKINBERRY NOT HAWKENBERRY....

Unfortunately they got my grandfather's name wrong-- it was William Maxwell not Jim. In any case I certainly appreciate the memorial and the efforts of those who worked hard to honor their memory.

My Grandfather was Ralph Smith. I never met him. My mother (Martha Ann Smith Lowther) wrote a story of his final hours how a friend offered half of his lunch. He replied, I'm having birthday cake later and I'll be expected to eat that. His youngest daughter turned 7 that day. My Aunt Mary Kay. She passed this week at 65.

My grandfather was Kenneth Burnside and like others, never had the chance to meet him. I was born 5/30/64. I grew up listening to the story of this tragedy. Was blessed to receive a picture of this beautiful monument.