Sunshine Mine Fire remembered after 52 years in Shoshone County
Kyrin Huber extinguishes the light on a miners hat during the memorial ceremony for the 91 lives lost in the Sunshine Mine fire May 2, 1972.
Today also marked the second anniversary of Idaho's statewide Miners’ Memorial Day in memory of the lives lost.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Kellogg students in JROTC served as a color guard for the Sunshine Mine Fire Memorial Thursday. Left to right: Cadet Sergeant Tessa Hodgman-Richter, Cadet Staff Sergeant Josh Salvador, Cadet Corporal Mattix Harris and Cadet Lance Corporal Braiden Milan.
Tanya Hottel and Michael Koenig share an emotional hug during Dusty Ham's performance of his song, "91 Sons."
91 chairs faced the audience arranged according to the levels where the miners were rescued as part of the Sunshine Mine Fire Memorial ceremony Thursday.
Andrew Lewis turns off the light on the mining headlight signifying their passing at the mining memorial in Big Creek.
Individual markers for the fallen miners populate the miners memorial in Big Creek.
Behind a podium with a wreath emblazoned with the words "always remember," Bob Delbridge addresses the assembly in Big Creek.
The Miners Memorial at Big Creek
BIG CREEK — In the shadow of the statue that memorializes the miners who lost their lives May 2, 1972, students from Kellogg High School clasped mining helmets with the lights still on.
Ninety-one helmets symbolized the 91 miners who were unable to resurface during the Sunshine Mine Fire. The community gathered together to mark the day over five decades later.
Two years ago, the state of Idaho declared May 2 as Miners Memorial Day in honor of the 91 miners. On Thursday, Michael Koenig and Tanya Hottel embraced as musician and miner Dusty Ham performed his ballad, “91 Sons,” as a tribute to the miners who lost their lives.
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