Hundreds attend miners’ memorial

HUNTINGTON, Utah – Hundreds came to an interfaith service Sunday in the heart of Utah’s coal country to say a public goodbye to six miners who were entombed in a mine after an earthshaking collapse.

Gov. Jon Huntsman said he hoped the memorial service would allow the families, who spent almost a month hoping the rescue efforts would turn up some sign of the missing men, to begin the process of healing.

“There has been pain, discomfort and loss. These were real human beings who loved and were loved by others,” Huntsman told the audience.

“Our community and our state have been hurting. It is a time for healing and a time for closure.”

About 1,000 people attended the ceremony on the football field of a junior high school, and family and close friends of the missing miners were seated in front of the podium.

U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson told the crowd Sunday he was still hopeful that someday the miners’ bodies could be recovered.

“We can not bring them back, but we can at least bring them home,” Matheson said.