Though it happened decades ago, the United Mine Workers of America Local 1304 won’t let the memories fade — nor should they.

In 1940, Belmont County saw a devastating explosion at the Willow Grove Mine, where 72 miners were killed.

“They left the house in the morning to go to the job site. They kissed their wives goodbye, and within a blink of an eye, they became the widows, and they left their children,” UMWA Local 1304 Financial Secretary Mel Woods said.

Since then, the UMWA local has transformed the site to a fitting memorial for those miners. A memorial stone and statue sit there, as well as a bell rung in memory of those lost. A pavilion is planned for the site as well.

Yet there’s a need to look further into the future. Those who care for the site — cutting the grass, removing the garbage and the like ­­–are getting older and their ability to keep up that work is starting to fade. They’re looking for others to help maintain the grounds so that the memorial remains a proper place to remember the fallen.

It would be a good project for a nonprofit organization or a scout troop to lend a hand to the UMWA. This memorial is a part of Ohio Valley history. These lost miners were Ohio Valley people. It’s only fitting that the Ohio Valley responds to help keep their memorial in good shape.