There is more work to do on the Barbour County monument meant to honor the miners who died at the Sago Mine in Upshur County in 2006 and miners everywhere.

Almost 100 people were at the Barbour County Courthouse Square in Philippi on Thursday for the unveiling of the first part of that monument, a bronze relief that depicts the waiting those miners did after the underground explosion at the International Coal Group site, waiting for rescue workers.

"Basically, it's what all of us would be going through in waiting to be rescued and also feeling like we never would be rescued," says Artist Ross Straight.

Governor Joe Manchin was part of the ceremony.

"When this horrible tragedy happened, we said they would not have died in vain and, because of these brave men, we now have some of the safest mining laws in the country and, really, the whole country has adopted West Virginia's laws," the Governor said.

Main Street Philippi's Program Manager Tammy Stempel is helping lead the project.  The bronze work cost $7,500.  The next step, she says, is to affix that art to a solid base and move it to a permanent location.

That's where Stempel says they need help.  "Our hope now is to get another $13,000 to get the African black granite monument completed and a little additional money for landscaping."

If you'd like to help complete the project, contact Tammy Stemple and Main Street Philippi at (304) 457-3700 or donate to the Sago Miners Memorial Fund at First Central Bank in Philippi.  Their address is PO BOX 340, Philippi, WV 26416.