‘Curtain of Courage’ Memorial now open to the public

The Curtain of Courage Memorial honoring the victims, survivors and first responders of the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino opened to the public Monday outside the County Government Center at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., in San Bernardino.

The Curtain of Courage Memorial consists of 14 individual bronze-colored alcoves shaped like protective curtains along the Government Center’s east promenade. The families of the victims selected the color of glass for each alcove and personalized the phrase on each bench inside each of the alcoves.

“The Curtain of Courage Memorial and the people it represents will be a forever landmark for us to reflect and remember what happened on December 2^nd 2015,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “We won’t ever forget the victims and the impact this had on our County. This memorial is a reminder that hate didn’t win and that our community held on to us to get us through the pain and tragedy.”

Fourteen people were killed and 22 were physically injured during the attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino where employees of San Bernardino County’s Environmental Health Services division were holding a training event.

The December 2nd Memorial Committee consisting of county staff, survivors of the attack and family members, selected Oakland-based designer Walter Hood to craft the memorial.

The committee expressed that the memorial would be a place for quiet reflection and would result in a space to appropriately and eternally reflect upon the many important and unique people, stories, and lessons of December 2nd. The $1.3 million memorial features curving mesh panels made of bronze and steel.

A private ceremony was held at the site Friday for the family of victims, survivors and first responders.