Coal Miner’s Memorial to have brick-laying ceremony
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Coal Miner’s Memorial Fund had a brick-laying ceremony last May where family and friends of loved ones who had either passed away or who had retired from the mining business were able to lay bricks they had had engraved in honor or in memory of their loved one near the memorial on the court house lawn. In all, 13 bricks were placed and approximately 50 – 60 people attended.
“We go back to those times,” said Sam Bennett, founder of the Coal Miner’s Memorial Fund. “We go back a hundred years to when coal was king. We have that common bond where we knew someone, a relative or neighbor, who worked in the coal mines. They’re American heroes in my mind.”
There will be another brick-laying ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 3 – 4 p.m. at the memorial. So far, 13 bricks have been sold to be laid and bricks are still available for purchase. Small bricks, 4×8 in size, are $50, and larger bricks, 8×8, are $70. To purchase a brick in honor or in memory of a loved one, visit the Coshocton County Coal Miner’s Memorial Fund website at coalminersmemorialfund.org and click on ‘Memory Bricks’.
During the ceremony, Bennett will be asking people to come forward and talk a little about the person they chose to honor on each brick. Bennett said that people from as far away as Atlanta, Georgia are planning on attending the ceremony. Don Green, who knew Bennett’s father, Arthur Bennett, who was killed in the mines, will be attending. Green met with Bennett recently and helped him purchase a sound system to use during the ceremony.
Everyone who comes to the ceremony will receive a free keychain and pen. Free bottled water will also be available. Postcards will be available for 50 cents, coffee mugs for $5, and hats for $10.
“The reason I’m selling stuff is to keep the memorial in people’s minds and also for the maintenance fund,” said Bennett.
Since May, three names have been added to the memorial of those who have worked in the mines in Coshocton County. The cost for adding a name is $150.
“I don’t mind,” said Bennett. “It’s another way of showing respect. We’re all one big family. It’s a way I can minister to people.”
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
