Creation of the Curtain of Courage Memorial
The Curtain of Courage Memorial honors the 14 victims, survivors and first responders of the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino. The memorial consists of 14 individual bronze alcoves shaped like protective curtains along the San Bernardino County 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.
On December 2, 2015, 14 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.
Following the attack, the Board of Supervisors directed the formation of a Memorial Committee tasked with creating and building a memorial to those who died, those who survived, our first responders, and our county community impacted by the trauma.
The December 2nd Memorial Committee formed in 2016 and held several meetings to establish an overall vision for the memorial based on shared values. The committee determined the memorial should recognize the broad diversity and lives of the victims as well as those who stepped up to preserve and protect life.
The memorial would also provide enduring recognition of the County employees who witnessed the attack, many of whom were physically injured and all of whom were emotionally impacted. The committee expressed that the memorial would be a place for quiet reflection, and would result in a space to appropriately and eternally reflect the many important and unique people, stories, and lessons of December 2nd.
The Memorial Committee selected world-renowned landscape architect and artist Walter Hood who worked on the creation of the Curtain of Courage Memorial with input from the families of the 14 victims.
Departed Friends
We will never forget the 14 people taken from us on December 2, 2015. They were public health workers who loved their families, respected their co-workers and served their community.
San Bernardino Heroes
The heroes from a number of law enforcement and fire agencies came to our aid on December 2, 2015. They didn’t hesitate to go in and try to save as many people as possible. They engaged in a shootout with the terrorists in the street and put their own lives on the line to protect our County employees and the community. They left no stone unturned when investigating what happened and why. We owe them our gratitude.
(now a part of San Bernardino County Fire Protection District)
The Community Response
Presidential Visit
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Air Force One on December 18, 2015 to meet with the families of the 14 people taken from us during the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack.
President Obama met and spoke with the families during a meeting at Indian Springs High School in San Bernardino where he expressed his condolences and his support. He also met with first responders.
Vigils and Gatherings
The San Bernardino County community over the years has supported our County Family through the tragedy. A number of private and public events have been held over the years to support us and our employees. Take a look back at the gatherings and memorials that took place to honor our departed friends and our survivors.
County employees were moved by the compassionate, inspiring and powerful speeches former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Pastor Rick Warren gave during the Jan. 4, 2016 private County Family Gathering at the Toyota Arena in Ontario
We were also moved by the performances of soloist Bridgett Bentley and the San Bernardino County Association of African American Employees Choir. They performed amazing renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Lean on Me.”
The San Bernardino County community erected a makeshift memorial near the site of the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack at Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road in San Bernardino where they placed flowers and photographs of the victims. Random strangers embraced each other and led prayers. The public came together to show their support, strength and love for our county community.
Thousands of people came to San Manuel Stadium the day after the terrorist attack to pray, sing and cry and to support each other. While our County family was hurting and reeling from the attack, our community was also angry and hurt and saddened by what occurred. People held on to each other and built a memorial of candles outside the stadium out of support and respect for those who were taken from us in such a brutal way.
County employees gathered together outside the County Government Center at 385 N. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino and held a vigil five days following the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack to honor their fellow employees who survived and those who were taken from us.
On December 2, 2016, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians lit up the naturally Arrowhead formation in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains for the one-year anniversary to honor our survivors and those who were killed in the attack.