Dec 8, 2013 By Steve Barrett 4 min read

MONONGAHELA TWP. — On Dec. 6, 1962, 37 men working at the Robena Mine’s Frosty Run Shaft in Greene County lost their lives in an underground mine explosion, two months after two miners were killed in an explosion at the mine’s Long Shaft.

Fifty-one years later, a group of local and state dignitaries, coal miners and family members of those miners gathered to pay tribute to the fallen miners.

A crowd of more than 100 people braved chilly and rainy weather Friday to attend the annual ceremony that was held at the Robena Memorial Monument in Monongahela Township in honor of the miners.

The ceremony is held at the monument site every year at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 to fulfill a promise by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA): To never forget the men who died that day, as well as their families, and to hold a service each year on their behalf.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Edward D. Yankovich Jr., international vice president of UMWA District 2, said the memories of those who lost their lives in the tragedy should never be forgotten.

Yankovich expressed his frustration with U.S. Steel Corp. for not acknowledging the annual memorial service and for failing to recognize the sacrifices the miners gave.

He said he had recently read the transcripts detailing the Robena disaster and it was “perfectly clear that corporate greed and negligence” caused the explosion. But despite that, he said, “the United Mine Workers of this country will never forget those whose lives were lost, and vows to continue honoring them” with the annual ceremony.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Cecil E. Roberts, international president of UMWA. Roberts talked about the importance of remembering those miners who lost their lives in the 1962 tragedy, and thanked those in attendance for honoring the memories of those killed at Robena.

“Today, we come here to say, ‘We’ve got to give back to these men,'” he said. “These men are not just statistics, they were wonderful fathers, sons, brothers, husbands. They had families. I imagine that some of them were great neighbors, church goers, baseball coaches and PTA members. They were important people. Let’s remember them for who they are, not just as statistics.”

Roberts also recognized the family members of those who were killed in the explosions.

“We need to celebrate and admire the strength of their families,” he said. “As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, we should remember that the tragedy happened during this time of year 51 years ago. How did a mother tell her children at Christmas time that their daddy died? Let’s remember and pray for not only those whose lives were lost, but also for their families.”

Roberts also thanked the coal miners in attendance and for those who “come out every year to this service to honor these men.”

He also commended the UMWA and its members.

“I want to thank every coal miner, working, retired and passed, as well as their families,” he said.

“There is no other person like a coal miner. I am very proud of a union that has the type of membership that we have. Every union in this country could stand to have membership like ours.”

This year’s ceremony also featured remarks from remarks by Marlon Whoolery, president of UMWA Local Union 1980, and Daniel Kane, UMWA secretary/treasurer; a rifle salute from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 of Masontown; a roll call of the deceased miners; the singing of the National Anthem and “Amazing Grace” by soloist Penny Whoolery; an invocation and benediction by the Rev. Rodney Torbic, priest at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church; and the placing of four wreaths beside the memorial along Route 21.

The 37 men who lost their lives at the 4 Main, 8 Left section, Frosty Run Shaft mine on Dec. 6, 1962, were: Adam Andrews Jr., Norman A. Benninghoff, William J. Blacka, James H. Boyd, Albert Bronakoski, Nicola Caromano, Albert Cavalcante, Frank Hainzer Jr., James W. Hribal, Frank Hudock, Andy J. Hvizdos, John Karlyak, Andrew K. “Kino” Kanyuch, Arthur Labons, Charles Laucher, Alex Marra, John C. Martoncik, Elmer W. McCann, Orrin E. McDowell, Ernest Mollica, Homer F. Pitts, Samuel Rain, Franklin H. Rifenburg, Allen J. Sanner, John M. Santer, Charles J. Sebeck, Charles J. Seper, George L. Speelman, John J. St.Clair, Hurley C. Stalnaker, Mike E. Stanik, John H. Steech, Joseph V. Tokish, Charles S. Van Divner, William H.R. Wright, Eugene G. Zuzak and Paul C. Zvolenski.

Also honored were two men who were killed at the Robena Mine Long Shaft on Oct. 2, 1962: J.L. Dunham and Frank Radovich.

At the conclusion of the memorial service, Yankovich made a promise to hold another service at 11 a.m. Dec. 6, 2014.