9/11 beam unveiled on Patriot Day

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

A group of firefighters and project team representatives unveil the 9/11 Memorial Beam at the new monument in Courthouse Park on Wednesday.

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A beam from one of the Twin Towers that fell on Sept. 11, 2001, was officially unveiled as the centerpiece of a Madera County Firefighter’s Memorial at Courthouse Park.

Hundreds of people attended Madera County’s 9/11 Firefighter Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday that also honored five firefighters who perished in the line of duty.

“We gather here today to remember and honor the lives lost on a day that forever changed our world,” said Cal Fire Assistant Chief Justin Macomb. “We are honored to have a memorial for our community to reflect on one of the darkest days in our history. This memorial would not have been possible if not for several individuals who started this process in 2021. It became an idea from small group to create something special for our community. Those individuals are Jorge Mendoza, Matthew Watson and Nick Salinas. With the unwavering support from the Madera County Board of Supervisors who made this project possible, here we are today with this amazing memorial.”