How to join in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine Rescue
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Editor's note: This story is the first in the Daily American's ongoing coverage of the Quecreek Mine Rescue 20th anniversary. Check back next week for more!
The first of several public events begin this week as Somerset County remembers the 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine Rescue in Lincoln Township.
“Looking back, it’s been an awesome 20 years. Now we’re saying, ‘Where do we go from here,’” said Bill Arnold, executive director of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation.
The foundation operates a museum at the rescue site to preserve the history of the 77-hour effort that rescued nine trapped miners and captured the nation’s attention over five days — July 24-28 — in 2002.
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“They (the miners) were praying to have another 20 minutes with their loved ones, and now it’s been 20 years,” he said. “The rescue was a great testament to hard work, prayer and what people can achieve when they work together.
"It's nice to see that people haven't let (the mine rescue) fade into their memories."
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Arnold said the 18 miners who were working inside the Quecreek Mine when the accident occurred — the nine who escaped initially and the nine who were rescued days later — are all part of the Quecreek rescue story.
“The odds were against them (the rescuers) to get those miners out,” he said. “To get all 18 out of that mine alive is a miracle.
“The first nine are definitely part of this story, and they always will be. We’re hopeful they will come back to revisit the miracle too.”
Former governor Mark Schweiker plans to be in Somerset County all week for the anniversary events, Arnold said, and eight of the nine rescued miners plan to attend at least some of the activities as their schedules allow.
Also included in those upcoming events are moments honoring the memory of miner Dennis “Harpo” Hall, who died in May.
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A current schedule of events planned for the Quecreek Mine Rescue anniversary remembrance is listed below. Arnold said that additional details are being finalized, and any updates to the schedule are to be shared through the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation’s website and social media accounts.
20th Anniversary events
Saturday, July 16: A “Miners Night” is planned during racing at Jennerstown Speedway. The speedway grandstand opens at 2:30 p.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 5:50 p.m. Former governor Mark Schweiker is to throw the green flag at 6 p.m., Arnold said, and a tribute to the Quecreek miners is to be held during an intermission.
Sunday, July 17: A classic car show is to be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Christ Casebeer Lutheran Church, 10377 Somerset Pike. Car owners participating in the show can enter the lot at 11 a.m., and free dash plaques are to be given to the first 75 cars. Judging is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. A food truck is to be present, offering food options as well.
Friday, July 22: “Rescuer Day” at the Quecreek Mine Rescue site, 140 Haupt Road in Somerset. Activities are to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with representatives from many of the federal and state agencies, local rescue teams, drilling operators and other groups that participated in the mine rescue expected to attend. The story of the mine rescue is to be shown every 90 minutes in the museum’s Education Building. A rescue demonstration is scheduled for noon. Food trucks are to attend and offer food for sale all day.
Saturday, July 23: “Family Day” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the rescue site. Schweiker is to give opening remarks at 9 a.m. and a flag ceremony is scheduled at 10 a.m. by the Pennsylvania State Police Honor Guard. A round table technical discussion is to take place at 11 a.m. and Cathi Rhodes, a Patsy Cline tribute artist, is to perform at noon. There are also a variety of activities planned for children, including touch a truck, touch a tractor and a petting zoo. The story of the mine rescue is to be shown every 90 minutes in the museum’s Education Building. Food trucks are to be available with food options for purchase.
Sunday, July 24: The Pittsburgh Pirates are hosting the Quecreek miners in a special “Miners Day” event at their 1 p.m. game with the Miami Marlins at PNC Park.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Events planned for Quecreek Mine Rescue anniversary Somerset County PA
