MONONGAH – UNA TRAGEDIA DA NON DIMENTICARE (A TRAGEDY NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN)

Included in this issue of the Notiziario email is a recent message from Michele Petraroria, Vice President of the region of Molise, regarding the great tragedy of December 6, 1907 that struck the small town of Monongah, West Virginia. On that Friday morning, at 10:30 am, two violent explosions shook the hillside of the town when two coal mining tunnels exploded in rapid succession. Some 361 miners perished that day, of which 171 were Italian immigrants – 87from Molise and 14 from Abruzzo. A final count placed the loss at over 500!! A number of them were young boys.

It was a common practice in coal mining operations in those days to permit young boys to work in the mines. To this day, Monongah remains as the worst coal mining disaster in the United States. Long-time members of AMHS will recall that we were actively engaged in ceremonies held in Casa Italiana and in Monongah to commemorate this tragic event.

AMHS member Joseph D'Andrea brought to light this forgotten tragedy. His extensive years of research culminated in the publication of his book Monongah-Cent'Anni di Oblio) (Monongah-100 Years of Oblivion), which was released during ceremonies held in Monongah to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragedy. A most notable outcome of the ceremony in Monongah was the installation of a memorial bell, cast in the world-famous Marinelli foundry in Agnone, donated by the region of Molise The victims of the disaster were honored on Saturday, December 6, 2014 in ceremonies organized by the caring citizens of Monongah, at which Joseph D’Andrea, a representative of United Mine Workers of America and other dignitaries offered remarks.

The Society is grateful to Father Ezio Marchetto, Pastor of Holy Rosary Church, who invited the faithful to pray for the victims of this tragedy during a Mass celebrated on December 6. It is my hope that the Society takes the initiative to organize, on an annual basis, ceremonies to commemorate this tragedy.