Elder Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, quoted scripture about the worth of souls in reference to the miners. "Truly, these souls are all great in the sight of God," Elder Rasband said.

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese, which encompasses the state of Utah, applied a broader use of the "heroes" designation.

"I would extend that to all miners, who every day go into the earth to make our lives better," Bishop Wester said. "They truly are heroes."

Bishop Wester also spoke in Spanish, ending with the words, "May they rest in peace."

For families left behind, peace has at times been hard fought.

"It's been a rough and painful year," said Kristin Kimber, ex-wife of Brandon Kimber.

"What a beautiful way to honor these men," she said. She talked about how the lost miners still live within their loved ones. "They have never left us — we just can't see them anymore."

Wendy Black also spoke to a crowd, which filled two sets of bleachers and spilled into the nearby cemetery. She had high praise for Gov. Jon Hunstman Jr., whose family donated much of the money needed to build the park and its monument. She also thanked Huntsman for representing miners during meetings in Washington, D.C., over the past year.

"I will never forget what you have done," Black said, turning around to hug the governor.

Black said being a miner is an honorable job.

"Every day they risk their lives so that we may have light," she said, taking time to read the names of each of the nine miners. "They died trying to bring light into the world."

Huntsman complimented Huntington and the surrounding communities that lost miners in both collapses. He said he had never seen such strength and togetherness on display, let alone for the entire world to see.

"It's now time to celebrate the lives of these good men, these dads, these sons, these neighbors, these relatives," Huntsman said. "It's time to celebrate these good lives, because I believe that good lives never die — they reside in our hearts and minds."

Echoing the monument's name, Huntsman said about the miners, "There are heroes among us."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com