Facing the markers are three polished stone benches, honoring the men who gave their lives trying to find them.

On Wednesday, the families of the victims of Utah's worst mine disaster in more than two decades gathered in a private service to dedicate the memorial and remember their loved ones.

"It was a mix of things. It was somber and contemplative," said Ed Havas, an attorney representing the family members of the mine disaster's victims, who wanted to spend the anniversary in private. Rain and thunderstorms throughout the day delayed the dedication high on East Mountain.

The markers, which sit a few hundred feet from the now-sealed entrance of the mine, have engravings meant to capture the men's lives: Don Erickson camping in the woods; Kerry Allred playing guitar; Dale "Bird" Black, who died during the rescue efforts, beneath an eagle with the inscription: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

The bench with rescuer Brandon Kimber's picture shows him with his three small children and the inscription: "He was a son, a brother, a friend, a hero, but most of all, he was our daddy."

In the early morning hours a year ago Wednesday, an area roughly the size of five city blocks dropped. Many hundreds of feet underground, three miles into the mountain's side, coal exploded from the supporting walls and pillars, trapping the six miners.

Ten days later, three would-be rescuers were killed in another implosion. Six others were injured.

The shockwaves of the Aug. 6, 2007, collapse are still being felt.

Brian Pritt, for example, was at the mine that day and rushed underground, donning breathing equipment and clawing over debris trying to reach the trapped miners. He was put on disability for six months and committed suicide in April.

On Wednesday, Pritt's family, Kimber's children and other families sued the mine's owners, alleging their deficient design and hunger for coal led to the men's injuries and deaths.

Another lawsuit, on behalf of the families of the trapped miners, was filed earlier this year. There have been some settlement negotiations in that case, but they are very preliminary.

In the past several months, investigation after damning investigation pointed to a mining plan that was deeply flawed from the start. Last month, MSHA's own report went so far as to say the Crandall Canyon mine was "primed for a massive pillar collapse," and was "destined to fail."

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has levied a $1.6 million fine against the mine operators, the largest ever against a coal company, and has set about trying to fix its own deficiencies that contributed to the mine failure.

Since Crandall Canyon, the agency has strengthened its review process for deep mines; now requires a technical review of deep mine plans; and stepped up its rigor on inspections, particularly in mines like Crandall Canyon that are using retreat mining - where the coal supporting the roof is cut away, causing it to fall in.

The state also created an office to try to coordinate mine safety with federal regulators, but stopped short of mandating state mine inspections.

Bob Murray, the mine's co-owner, was the public face of the rescue efforts, attacking those who challenged him and asserting, falsely, that an earthquake caused the collapse. He has kept a low profile since the rescue attempt ended, refusing to testify before congressional committees investigating the disaster and denying reporters' requests for interviews.

In addition to lawsuits from the victims' families, the U.S. attorney is also considering the possibility of criminal charges against company officials.

Huntington Mayor Hillary Gordon said she believes feels that the new memorial is especially important for those whose loved ones remain entombed in the mine, and gives them a place for reflection and, hopefully, healing, which has been difficult hard given a year of continuous investigation and publicity.

"It's always on everyone's minds. Today I think there was a definite feeling of, maybe, relief and satisfaction for the families of the men who were trapped," she said. "The impact has been felt and I know the sorrow is still there, but I myself feel the closure. And that doesn't mean forgetfulness, just the ability to go on."