Former Gov. Mark Schweiker will be the keynote speaker at the 5th anniversary celebration of the 2002 rescue of nine miners trapped in the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Gov. Schweiker lead state rescue efforts during the four day ordeal that involved hundreds of state and federal mine rescue personnel, local first responders, private companies, volunteers and other miners.

“We are honored to have Gov. Schweiker return for the anniversary this year to recognize all those who were involved in the rescue effort,” said Bill Arnold, President of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. “Gov. Schweiker’s leadership during the rescue and the compassion he felt for the families of the trapped miners was a blessing for those families and our community.”

The anniversary celebration events will take place on Saturday, July 28 beginning at 9:30 at the mine rescue site on the Arnold Farm at 151 Haupt Road in Somerset.

Other speakers at the celebration will include Joseph Sbaffoni, Director of Deep Mine Safety for the Department of Environmental Protection, other state and local officials. Jim Burton of WJAC-TV will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Special music will be provided by the Milford United Methodist Children’s Bell Choir, Cathi Casale as “Patsy Cline,” and Dan & Galla – saluting the rescue with patriotic songs. “Mountain John” of Somerset will be reciting his poem “The Quecreek Mine Rescue”

On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine with over 50 million gallons of water. Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water-filled mine. They were rescued four days later through the combined efforts of state and federal mine rescue agencies and hundreds of workers and volunteers.

Last year the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially recognized the mine rescue site as part of the state Historical Marker Program erecting a blue and gold historic marker at the Arnold Farm.

“The Quecreek Mine Rescue was a modern day miracle and a unique event in the history of Pennsylvania and the country,” said Arnold. “Every year we get more and more visitors to our farm to see the rescue site and the rescue capsule and other equipment we have on display that was used in the rescue.”

“The Foundation is now finalizing plans and a fundraising initiative for a visitors center at the site to accommodate the busloads of visitors who want to learn more about the rescue and coal mining in Pennsylvania,” explained Arnold.

The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that relies on support from the public to educate the public about the rescue and to maintain and operate the mine rescue visitors’ area.

Contact the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation by writing: 151 Haupt Road, Somerset, PA 15501 or calling 814-445-4876 or by visiting: www.QuecreekRescue.org .

7/6/2007