January 3, 2020 - Every January 2nd, flowers rest at the base of a memorial in Upshur County, West Virginia dedicated to 12 miners killed in a 2006 mine explosion.

It's been 14 years now since the world's attention was on Sago, West Virginia.

It began when the explosion trapped 13 miners two miles below ground. They were trapped for nearly two days.

Investigators believe a lightning strike was the likely cause of the explosion.

During the rescue mission, false reports spread that the men all survived. 

When news reached the Sago Baptist Church where families awaited news of any kind it was anything but silent. Cheers, tears of joy and music filled the Upshur County air.

Some declared it a West Virginia miracle.

In the end, only one made it out alive. Randal McCloy Jr. was 26 at the time.

"I thank God, mostly," he told WDTV after he was rescued. "It's because of him I'm still here."

It was the worst mining disaster in West Virginia since the 1968 Farmington Mine disaster.

Today, roses rest amongst the rocks at the memorial honoring all 12 men who didn't make it out.

One of the notes recovered from inside the mine is etched in stone on that memorial.

"We'll see you on the other side," it reads.

New state and federal laws were enacted after the disaster to improve safety and security standards in mines.

Joe Manchin was governor when the disaster happened. He released a statement Thursday on its anniversary:

"Fourteen years ago, twelve coal miners went to work at the Sago mine and never returned to their families. After that tragedy, I joined all West Virginians as we grieved with the coal miners’ families and loved ones.

"Today and every day since that horrible disaster, my thoughts are with those who lost a loved one that day. After the Sago disaster, West Virginia passed historic legislation to improve safety standards for our coal miners who power America.

"Today’s anniversary is a reminder that our coal miners health, safety, and security must continue to be our highest priority. I remain committed to ensuring no family has to suffer this unimaginable loss ever again and continue to keep the coal miners’ families in my thoughts.”

"They loved their families
They loved their country
They loved their god"

Marty Bennett
George Junior Hamner
Marshall Cade Winans
Jackie Lynn Weaver
Fred G. "Bear" Ware, Jr.
Martin Toler, Jr.
David William Lewis
Jesse L. Jones
Terry Helms
Jerry Lee Groves
James A. Bennett
Tomas "Tom" Paul Anderson