CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner honored the state’s coal miners during a ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday, calling their work a “silent but steadfast force behind every victory our nation has ever known” ahead of National Miners Day on Saturday.

Warner told attendees it was a “solemn honor” to recognize miners whose work powers the state’s economy and often goes unseen. He compared miners’ sacrifice to that of soldiers, firefighters and police officers, saying they deserve the same level of respect for risking their lives in service to their communities.

“As we have been recently reminded by Steve Lipscomb’s selfless action in protecting his crew, coal miners ought to be esteemed just as highly as those in the military, police force and fire houses

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