The memorial, called the Curtain of Courage, was unveiled Friday in a private ceremony for family of the 14 victims who lost their lives, survivors of the attack and first responders.
Long-stemmed yellow roses rest over the nameplates of each of the 14 victims who lost their lives seven years ago during the San Bernardino terrorism attack. For Verdejyou, the art installment called the Curtain of Courage provided a place to connect with her mother, a way to honor her life in the city where she lost her. For Selihom Asmelish and her family, sitting down next to the name of her uncle Isaac Amanios six and half years later feels like coming home.
"Like he's there. You can just sit and think, and you can feel his presence there with you," Asmelish said."It's very special to us." "We also wanted it to be a celebration of life, akin to a small set of chapels, each signifying an individual loss," he said. At a private unveiling ceremony for the victim's families, survivors and first responders, Hood said he wished this was the last tribute of its kind that would have to be built in this country.
"But as we see in our country, we're facing this more and more and more. Hopefully, coming to places like this, we can be reminded not only of the individuals, but what or duties are to make sure things like this don't happen again," Hood said. Though it marks a dark time in San Bernardino history, when two shooters stormed the Inland Region Center and fired upon county employees during a meeting, it also presents an opportunity to remember the light their loved ones left behind in this world. The memorial opens to the public at the San Bernardino County Government Center on Monday.