BIG CREEK - Many gathered together on a cold, cloudy Sunday afternoon to honor the 38th anniversary of the Sunshine Mine disaster and salute those 91 miners who lost their lives in the fire.

"Each year we like to remember the miners that were lost that day and the miners that have lost their lives," ceremony speaker Bill Delbridge said.

The memorial was opened with the Kellogg and Wallace Marine ROTC units' presentation of the colors, Hannah Rivera singing the "Star-Spangled Banner," and an invocation by Pastor John Pierce. A special musical selection of "Angels Among Us" was performed by Austyn and Rylie Gunderson.

Guest speaker Bob Delbridge, Superintendent of US Operations Safety and Training at JS RedPath Corp., expressed how the Sunshine disaster affected not only his life, but the future of mining. The tragedy impacted so many families, he said, and brought about change in how to keep workers safe - avoiding accidents and protecting miners from tragedies.

Bob said on his visits to other mine sites it is still amazing to witness the heartfelt responses from other miners who know of the Sunshine Mine fire and still share memories of the fallen.

"All miners are brothers, no matter what country they're from," he said. "The people of this great valley stay with me every day. We tell stories to keep the legacy alive."

Les Wood, grandson of the late Don Wood, said the incident was significant, as is the hard work of the entire community.

"I hope that I can live up to the standards that strengthen the valley," he said.

After Wood's words, mayors of the Silver Valley - Joann Groves, Mac Pooler, Jay Huber, Tom Benson, Mike Dunnigan, Bob McPhail - and Bill Dire (filling in for Dick Vester) read the names of the 91 miners who died in the fire. As everyone listened, Marlene Young and Sophie Burchfield subsequently turned off a head lamp on a hard hat that represented the miners.

Peggy White, Shoshone County Clerk, took a moment to present awards to and thank those who had helped restore the memorial within the past year.

Listed are the names of those who lost their lives in the 1972 Sunshine Mine fire: Robert Alexander, 50; Billy Allen, 24; Wayne Allen, 39; Richard Allison, 37; Arnold Anderson, 48; Robert Anderson, 37; Joe Armijo, 38; Ben Barber, 31; Robert Barker, 42; Virgil Bebb, 53; Don Beehner, 38; Richard Bewley, 40; George Birchett, 40; Wayne Blalack, 35; Robert Bush, 47; Floyd Byington, 35; Clarence Case, 55; Charlie Casteel, 30; Kevin Croker, 29; Duwain Crow, 39; Rod Davenport, 35; John Davis, 28; Richard Delbridge, 24; William Delbridge, 55; Roberto Diaz, 55; Greg Dionne, 23; Carter Don Carlos, 47; Norman Fee, 27; Lyle Findley, 30; Don Firkins, 27; Howard Fleshman, 38; William Follette, 23; Richard Garcia, 56; Richard George, 20; Robert Goff, 35; Louis Goos, 51; John Guertner, 54; William Hanna, 47; Howard Harrison, 34; Patrick Hobson, 57; Melvin House, 41; Merle Hudson, 47; Jack Ivers, 44; Gene Johnson, 45; Paul Johnson, 47; Wayne Johnson, 43; James Johnston, 19; Custer Keough, 59; Sherman Kester, 60; Dewellyn Kitchen, 31; Elmer Kitchen, 54; Kenneth La Voie, 29; Richard Lynch, 24; Donald McLachlan, 23; Delbert McNutt, 48; James Moore, 29; David Mullin, 34; Joe Naccarato, 40; Orlin Nelson, 32; Richard Norris, 24; Donald Orr, 50; Hubert Patrick, 45; Casey Pena, 52; John Peterson, 57; Francis Phillips, 42; Irvan Puckett, 51; Floyd Rais, 61; Leonard Rathbun, 29; John Rawson, 27; Jack Reichert, 45; Dusty Rhoads, 57; Glen Rossiter, 37; Paul Russell, 30; Gene Salyer, 54; James Salyer, 51; Allen Sargent, 38; Robert Scanlan, 38; John Serano, 37; Nick Sharette, 48; Frank Sisk, 31; Darrell Stephens, 20; Gustav Thor, 38; Grady Truelock, 40; Robert Waldvogel, 50; William Walty, 29; Gordon Whatcott, 37; Doug Wiederrick, 37; Ronald Wilson, 41; William Wilson, 41; John Wolff, 49; Don Wood, 53.