HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) – It was a somber and emotional morning as community members and Local United Steelworkers 2911 gathered in Weirton to honor the memory of all of those who lost their lives while working in the mill.

Since 2008, people from all over the Valley have made a stop to Weirton for their annual Workers Memorial Day – a ceremony honored by over 100 countries around the globe.  

As Union President Mark Glyptis says: “Working in the mill is a dangerous, dangerous job.” 

Several union members, city officials, and Pastor Gary Lilly spoke during Thursday’s ceremony. 

This is a stanza of his poem “Here’s To You Weirton.”  

“Your Main Street garnished with the memories of fearless men with fists or iron. Shift working, hard-hat wearing, track laying, crane running, bridge building, God fearing, flag waving, freedom loving people.”  

Pastor Gary Lilly | Author of poem – “Here’s To You Weirton”

The names of each person who died in the mill were read aloud, followed by the ring of a bell.  

Glyptis says it’s days like these that serve as a reminder that safety always comes before work. 

“It’s very sad when I walk through the mill, and I walk past where one of them died. I think about it every time I walk past. I may walk past that particular area maybe four or five times a day. And the memory is always there, and the sacrifice to keep the mill running.”  

Mark Glyptis | Local United Steel Workers 2911 President

Don Westerhoff, Program Director of Safety Compliance with Cleveland Cliffs, has been working in Weirton since 2005.  

He says this year’s ceremony is especially somber with the recent idling of the mill.  

“You spend as much time with the people that you work with than you do with your actual family members. So, it’s just it’s tough to see something come to an end.” 

Don Westerhoff | Program Director of Safety Compliance, Cleveland Cliffs

In his heartfelt speech during the ceremony, Westerhoff said, “safety is a never-ending mission,” and they will continue to strive to make the workforce a safer place.  

He says a lot has been done in the last 25 years to increase mill worker safety, such as enhanced training, more robust programs, improving personal protective equipment, and bringing in updated technologies and engineering. 

Organizers of the event say the biggest takeaway from this event every year is honor and respect. Honoring the memory of everyone who lost their life in their pursuit for a better life and respecting their hard work.