April 6, 2025 - 15 years ago, disaster struck at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia.

Explosions tore through the mine, killing 29 people and injuring two others at this mine in Montcoal.

Since then, Mick Bates has been instrumental in continuing to remember those who were lost in the disaster, as well as their families.

“This was our 9/11. I mean this was probably the date that everybody in this community will continue to remember forever. The eyes of the world were on us. We shone. We came together in a way that was pretty special,” said Bates.

West Virginia District 9 State Senator and pastor Rollan Roberts showed up to remember this devastating event.

“I know what it is for families to deal with grief. I understand that when you have lost a close loved one like these families did, it is very real. Even 15 years later, they rehearse all of those things pretty much every day,” said Roberts.

This disaster hit close to home for people like Bates, who is the son and grandson of coal miners.

“As you get older, you recognize more and more your own mortality. You know, my daughter, she was two [when this happened]. She is 17 now. I mean, I can think where we were, what we were doing all the life that has gone through that, all the life we have lived over 15 years. These [coal miners] did not get to live their life. They have got kids, grandkids that have grown up without them. We take a lot of things for granted. Tomorrow is not given. There are men today that continue to work, the kind of work that they do and put themselves in harm’s way to raise money for their families, to support them and provide resources for us to live the life that we live,” said Bates.