Efforts are underway to create a public, County Government memorial to the people affected by the events of December 2, 2015. A memorial committee assembled by Supervisor Josie Gonzales, who was appointed by Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos to create and head the committee, has issued the following statement to update the community on the effort:
“We are moving forward with plans for a memorial to those who were taken, the county employees who were injured physically and emotionally, and the people who protected us during the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino.
“We are family members of those who were taken, county employees who were present during this tragedy, and representatives from various County departments. We are meeting regularly to determine how the world will remember the people involved in and affected by the events of December 2.
“We have discussed a memorial that will serve as a place where all can remember each of those who were taken from us and the beauty they brought into this world. We also want it to recognize the tenacity of our community to persevere and move forward.
“As this committee continues its work, we will determine the nature, location, and timeline of the memorial. We have decided the memorial will focus on the County family and be dedicated primarily to the people whose lives were taken on December 2. The memorial will also recognize those who were injured, and give consideration to the first responders.
“We want to make the memorial a place suitable for quiet reflection. We have also determined that the memorial will recognize the broad ethnic and cultural diversity of those who were taken from us.
“We intend to create a memorial that celebrates life, and that honors the people who were taken on that terrible day; people who dedicated their careers to protecting the community’s health and well-being.
“The County will provide the public with regular updates on the memorial plans and timeline.”
The committee has also adopted the following mission statement:
December 2 Memorial Mission Statement:
Permanently honor and celebrate the innocent souls taken from us by a brutal and cowardly act of terrorism on December 2, 2015, and provide enduring recognition of the County employees who witnessed the attack,many of whom were physically injured and all of whom were emotionally impacted.
Acknowledge those who bravely and selflessly provided protection, comfort, and support to the loved ones of those who were taken, the wounded, our San Bernardino County Government Family, and our county community on the day of the attack and in the days, weeks, and months that followed.
Ensure that our efforts reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, inspire an end to hatred, and uphold San Bernardino County’s tradition of strength, determination, and resilience.
I think this is a wonderful idea,but PLEASE, include everyone that was a member of the EHS dept. on that day. No one should be left off the Memorial but the shooter. All of these people have been affected and have suffered greatly. Let’s honor all of them, they were handed a burden that no one should have to go through.
Hi Mary Ann, the committee’s statement says the memorial will also be for those EHS employees. Thank you for your comment!
Im an IRC employee and i was there during the tragedy, i hope we do not get excluded
The tragedy happended in our “second home”, we were there in the middle of the rampage, we lived and survived this tragedy. We should also be included
Thank you. We will pass this message along to the memorial committee.
Thank you
This a great idea. But I am wondering if IRC is represented in this committee. There were many people affected by the tragedy on December 2nd and I hope that all groups are represented.
I’d like to see the IRC conference room bulldozed and a small reflection park with 14 trees planted. I know the irc building is not a county building but I doubt any irc worker would want to return.
An omission of families. No one is hurting more than the spouses and family members; wives, husbands, and children of these beautiful people. They have mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, but none referred to.
Please remember Daniel Kaufman, who was not an EHS employee. He ran the coffee shop at the IRC and worked for Pathways. He was also killed, a happy, joyful spirit gone forever.
Thank you for contacting us. The memorial committee has taken action to ensure all 14 people who were taken from us on that day are remembered.