Published: June 14, 2008 11:24 pm      

Exhibit brings back memories for Quecreek rescuers

WINDBER — David Garrety’s first visit to Windber Coal Heritage Center’s “Rescue@Quecreek” exhibit took him back to those three harrowing days in July 2002.

“I worked in the Quecreek mine when it flooded,” Garrety said after viewing the interactive exhibit depicting the 9-for-9 rescue from Somerset County mine.

The Quecreek exhibit became a popular attraction when rains dampened outdoor activities Saturday for Windber Miners’ Memorial Day Weekend festival. Earlier, hundreds gathered for the opening program and then lined Graham Avenue for the Miners Day Parade.

“You couldn’t have asked for a better parade and an excellent crowd,” festival Chairman Dave Petrunak said.

The festival was established to commemorate Windber’s mining history, memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who died in the mine and promote two local historic museums – especially the Coal Heritage Center.

It’s a worthy project, Garrety says.

The Berlin man brought his wife, Gabrielle, and their children, 7-year-old Jacob and 3-year-old Izabelle, to learn more about the heroic rescue.

He had worked the day shift July 24, 2002, handing off the operation to 18 coworkers that night. About 9 p.m., a crew of nine drilled into another, flooded mine, inundating the Quecreek. Nine escaped, but nine others were trapped for more than three days. The nation watched as rescuers brought all nine miners out in the early hours of July 28.

Garrety was on the rescue crew.

“I worked three days,” he said. “I stayed all day and night.”

The Coal Heritage Center’s permanent exhibit captures the historic event, Garrety said after touring the museum.

“I think it’s an awesome display,” David Garrety said.

“It’s easier to show Jacob how everything happened and where it happened, with pictures and maps,” Gabrielle Garrety said.

Miners’ Memorial Day Weekend is an opportunity to showcase and garner donations for the struggling Coal Heritage Center, director Chris Barkley said.

Much of the National Park Service money that once funded the center has been redirected, Barkley said. While Rosebud Mining Co. and Berwind Natural Resources Corp. have been generous, the center’s operation is normally limited to Fridays and Saturdays. It is open today for the festival.

“I am hoping people will come in and appreciate the history, and maybe give us some donations,” Barkley said.

He was not the only one thinking of money. In the next block, volunteers from Scalp Level-Paint Volunteer Fire Company and Windber Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary were hoping for a little more business at their food booths.

“We were really busy this morning, but the rain cancelled that quick,” said Scalp Level Paint volunteer Dave Lantz.

But food and craft vendors are expecting more income today as Miners Memorial Day Weekend continues.

The big car show sets up at noon and there is music all afternoon.

Many vendors will return in two weeks for Windber Rumbles, a Thunder in the Valley event. That leads into the Fourth of July week Windber Fire Department Celebration 2008.