Ellen Perrault
Tuesday, Dec. 2, marked the 10th anniversary of the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack. On that fateful day, two terrorists interrupted a meeting and Christmas celebration at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino and shot attendees indiscriminately. The shooters were husband and wife.
They took the lives of 14 people, including 13 county employees. Dozens of other county employees suffered serious physical and emotional injuries.
From this sadness, the Curtain of Courage Memorial came to life. It sits outdoors on the east side of the San Bernardino County Government Center in downtown San Bernardino and is a tribute to the victims, survivors and first responders. A plaque with the names of the 14 people who were killed and consists of 14 individual bronze alcoves shaped like protective curtains. Information about the Memorial and the December 2, 2015 attack is available at the Memorial in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Braille.
The county hosted a private memorial service on Tuesday for survivors and the families of the deceased at the Curtain of Courage Memorial located at the County Government Center in San Bernardino. The county also conducted a virtual moment of remembrance on the county’s social media channels and lowered flags to half-staff.
Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman and Josie Gonzales Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, who were both members of the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2, 2015, spoke at the memorial service. They vowed the county would never forget those who were taken from us on that day and those who continue to suffer.