Dedication of January 8 Memorial will take place on 10-year anniversary of shooting
UPDATE 12/19/20: See comment below post by Board President Ron Barber — event is now all virtual.
“PIMA COUNTY, Dec. 14, 2020 – A commemorative ceremony will take place Jan. 8, 2021, dedicating a memorial at the Historic County Courthouse created for the victims, survivors and first responders of the Tucson shooting that claimed six lives.
Because of the ongoing pandemic, only a handful of people will gather shortly before 10 a.m. Jan. 8 for the ceremony, which will be live-streamed via a pool camera provided by KVOA-Channel 4. The ceremony, which will not be open to the public, may be viewed on Pima County’s Facebook page. Several local television stations, including KVOA, are expected to broadcast the ceremony.
The dedication will include:
- Presentation of flags from an honor guard comprising representatives from the Northwest Fire District, Pima County Sheriff’s Department and other first responders
- Opening prayer offered by Rev. Joe Fitzgerald, Banner University Medical Center chaplain
- Remarks from Ron Barber, president of the January 8 Foundation’s Board of Directors who was wounded in the attack
- Bell ringing at exactly 10:10 a.m. to coincide with when the first shots were fired
The ceremony will then segue into an eight-minute video produced by Pima County’s Communications Office reviewing some of the events of the day, an introduction to the Memorial, how it came together and the reactions of some of the survivors and family members of victims who have toured the Memorial.
The Memorial, which is located just west of the Historic Courthouse in El Presidio Park and called “Embrace,” tells the story of the lives lost and people wounded at the hand of a gunman on January 8, 2011, at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” event in Tucson. It features sloping walls that depict symbols embodying the values and interests held by each of the six people who died and the 13 survivors.
In addition, the Memorial showcases symbols dedicated to the community of first responders, Tucson’s history, and the aspirations of the community for the future. The Memorial also features gardens named for each of the six victims.
Tucson’s January 8th Memorial Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 which was organized to fund and build a permanent memorial commemorating the Jan. 8 shootings. The firm CHEE SALETTE, founded in 2009 by Tina Chee and Marc Salette, created the January 8th Memorial following a national design competition.
County officials hope to have the Memorial open to the public by early February, depending on the status of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Media contact: County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, 520-724-8587, chuck.huckelberry@pima.gov
Note: Details on how media can pick up the stream via satellite will be provided closer to the date of the event.”
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Tune in one hour from now for virtual dedication ceremony. I well remember that day when Gabe Zimmerman, whom I knew died on the sidewalk of that Safeway. And unfortunately I also knew the shooter’s mother, Amy who was/is? the manager of Agua Caliente Park. And of course I know Gabby and Ron, victims of that Tucson Mass Shooting. Stay safe during this pandemic.
view live at: https://www.facebook.com/pimacountyarizona
And congratulations to new US Senator Mark Kelly, who helped his 2nd wife Gabby survive that assassination attempt.
UPDATE 12/19/20: A new type of anniversary ceremony
By Ron Barber
President, Tucson’s Jan. 8 Memorial Foundation Board
“Dear Supporters and friends of the January 8th Memorial:
As you know, we soon will observe the 10th anniversary of the Tucson shooting tragedy – and the long-awaited completion of the Memorial in downtown Tucson. The Memorial Foundation Board wanted this to be a time for all of us to gather in person to reflect on what happened that day and how it changed our lives. It would be right to be together to see how the Memorial honors those who were killed, the survivors and the compassionate response of our community.
Sadly, we will not be able to hold the annual bell ringing with an audience next month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We so wanted to be with you on Jan. 8, 2021. But what is most important to us is protecting the health and safety of those who would gather next year to mark the 10th anniversary. Therefore, after consulting with Pima County officials, we agreed to make this anniversary event entirely virtual. It is the right thing to do.
Although the anniversary activity will be a virtual event, broadcast live from the Memorial, we are determined to make all of you a part of it. The ringing of a bell to honor each of those who were killed or wounded, will be broadcast and streamed live online beginning about 9:55 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2021. There will be a video-taped introduction and closing as well.
The Jan. 8 ceremony will be broadcast live on KVOA, Channel 4 and possibly on other Tucson television stations. Later that same day, at 6:30 p.m., KVOA will broadcast a 30-minute special: “January 8 – 10 years later.”
The anniversary event also will be streamed live and available for viewing anytime after the event on the Pima County Facebook page.
The Memorial is almost complete, but it remains closed to the public as construction workers put on the finishing touches. Pima County officials expect the Memorial will be open to the public shortly after Jan. 8, 2021.
When we open the Memorial, our community will see a beautiful structure that will be there for all times to honor the 13 people who were wounded and the six people who were killed.
The Memorial also will remember and appreciate the many people who came to the aid of those of us who were shot on January 8, 2011. This includes the first responders, the medical personnel at the hospitals, the citizens who ran to help the wounded and the compassionate people of our community who supported us in the aftermath and to this day.
The Memorial also will tell the story of resilience by the people who lived here going back hundreds of years. These people faced immense challenges and dangerous situations and, yet, they prevailed. From the native people, who first lived on this land to those who live here today, our history is truly one of resilience.
Included in this newsletter are recent photographs showing the almost-completed Memorial. Cut into the walls of the Memorial are symbols that tell the stories of those who were wounded or killed nearly a decade ago.
Construction of the Memorial has been managed by Pima County Government. It is on County land adjacent to the Historic Courthouse in downtown Tucson. Funding for the Memorial was contributed by many of you and we are so grateful for your support. Donations came from individuals, companies, foundations and grants in Southern Arizona.
The Memorial was designed by Chee-Salette Architects. The construction contract was awarded by Pima County to the Chasse Building Team.
I want to commend the Memorial Foundation Board of Directors for their dedication to the Memorial. All volunteers, they have worked tirelessly to raise funds, partner with Pima County and make the essential decisions that moved the Memorial forward. It is an honor to work with them and to Chair the Board.”