BUCKHANNON, W.Va. -- Nearly two weeks after a mine explosion killed 12 men, left another clinging to life and plunged an entire region of Appalachia into grief and confusion, thousands will gather for a memorial service.

Speakers at tomorrow's "Honor, Hope and Healing'' service, set for 2 p.m. at Wesley Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan College, will include Gov. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia author Homer Hickam, who wrote "Rocket Boys,'' and relatives of the dead miners.

The chapel, which holds 1,800, was chosen because it is the largest in the state. An overflow seating area in the Rockefeller Physical Education Center nearby will hold an additional 2,000 people. College officials expect an overflow crowd, even though the service also will be broadcast live on television and radio in West Virginia.

The service falls on a day designated by Mr. Manchin for remembrance and prayer around the state. The Rev. Wease Day, pastor of Sago Baptist Church, where relatives and friends of the trapped miners gathered during the crisis, will be joined by other pastors from around the region to lead prayers, read Scripture and offer meditations.

Among those who have indicated they will offer remarks on behalf of their families are Ti Anderson, son of miner Tom Anderson, 39, of Rock Cave; Mike Rose, son-in-law of miner Jerry Groves, 56, of Cleveland, W.Va.; and Cheyenne Polce, great-niece of miner Terry Helms, 50, of Newburg. Musicians and choral ensembles will perform.

Doors to the chapel will open at 12:30 p.m. and music selections will begin at 1:30. Those who attend will be required to enter through the chapel's front doors and pass through metal detectors. No flash photographs will be permitted.

No parking will be permitted on campus. Shuttle buses will run from noon until an hour after the service ends from two off-campus lots -- a former Ames department store and a Shop 'n Save supermarket off Route 20 in the nearby village of Tennerton.