The successful rescue of nine coal miners drew international attention and emotion. From July 24-28, 2002 the catastrophe and ensuing rescue captured the hearts and hope of millions of people worldwide. The rescue took place on the 212 year old Dormel Farms. Since the rescue on July 28, tens of thousands of people from around the world have visited the farm, home of William and Lori Arnold and their parents Melvin and Dorcas Arnold, to view the site where the miners were rescued. This tremendous show of public interest and support prompted the Arnold family to explore the vision of developing the site into a permanent monument. Here I saw the actual rescue capsule, a 7 foot seated bronze coal miner, honoring all coal miners, past and present, and nine evergreen trees encircling a majestic Red Oak, symbolizing the undying determination of the nine trapped miners, nine black granite stones representing the strength of the "first nine" miners' ability to escape the flood, with the oak symbolizing the faith everyone showed in bringing "the trapped nine" to safety.
