Chandra Brode of Steel Valley Pipes and Drums offers a tribute through the playing of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes Friday during an annual ceremony at the steelworkers memorial at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and County Road in Weirton. (Photo by Craig Howell)

WEIRTON — More than 120 steelworkers have lost their lives while pouring their blood, sweat and tears into the mill that drove the Weirton economy for generations.

Friday morning, as rain fell from a gray sky, members of the Weirton community gathered to make sure their sacrifices aren’t forgotten.

“It’s a rainy day, but it’s a very special day,” noted USW 2911 President Mark Glyptis.

In observance of the World Day of Health and Safety at Work, a crowd gathered at the steelworkers memorial at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and County Road, where the names of 121 steelworkers and 17 contractors are listed. Glyptis said the task from the USW and Cleveland-Cliffs is to focus on the safety of their workers to make sure there are no other fatalities in the Weirton mill.

“Our goal is to prevent accidents from occurring,” Glyptis said. “It’s an ongoing effort; every day of every year.”

The Weirton Steelworkers Memorial was dedicated “in memory of all the steelworkers who lost their lives at work at Weirton Steel.” Beginning with Lewis Chaney on April 11, 1919, it lists the names of each individual who died as a result of an incident while on the job. This includes the 19 men who were lost on Dec. 15, 1972 as a result of the coke plant explosion on Brown’s Island.

For several years, a service has been held at the monument, stopping only from 2020 to 2022 as a result of COVID. During those years, though, another name was added to the list of those remembered.

Timothy Poch died May 21, 2020 following a work-related accident.

As part of Friday’s service, his daughter, Haleigh Poch-Kowalski, remembered her father, who had been a steelworker for more than 20 years. More than that, though, she remembered a man who loved weightlifting, riding his dirt bike, hunting, golfing and being willing to learn new skills at every opportunity he had.

During her tribute, Poch-Kowalski pulled out her father’s hardhat and work boots, which she said remain on display at the family home.

“I’ve spent my entire life trying to fill these boots,” she said, admitting that if she saw her dad try something, she often would try as well. “I thought he was awesome, and I wanted to be awesome, too.”

She recalled the last time she saw her father, during a trip home before beginning her training through the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School. Saying their goodbyes, she said he could tell she was worried about whether she would make it through.

“He gave me a hug and his eyes were glassy, and he said, ‘You will make it, because you’re my daughter,'” she relayed.

Today, she remembers her father’s spirit, drawing inspiration from her memories of him and the things he loved.

“Union labor has built the American dream,” she reminded, offering some of her favorite lessons from her father, including you can do anything if you want it enough, the word “can’t” shouldn’t be a part of your vocabulary, don’t look behind because the race is in front of you, and to always stand up for what you believe in.

Those gathered also heard from John Stubna, Weirton general manager of Cleveland-Cliffs.

“At Cleveland-Cliffs, the safety and well-being of our employees is paramount,” he said, noting mechanical parts can be fixed and many injuries can be healed. “If a fatality happens on the job, that life is not replaceable. It’s gone forever.”

Pastor Gary Lilly offered a reading of his poem, “Here’s to you, Weirton,” and the Rev. Robert Macek and the Rev. Kenny Jacobs read the names of all those lost.