As we remember the heroes of 9/11 and that fateful day, we’d like to share how much our country means to us. Many of you have seen the flag barn at Highway 41 and Avenue 12 in Madera. In the days after 9/11, our founders, Bob and Karen McCaffrey, painted that barn with stars and stripes to express their love of country during a difficult time.
This past Memorial Day, a 14-foot steel beam that was salvaged from the September 11, 2001 Twin Tower attacks, came to Madera County. Escorted by a procession of local firefighters, law enforcement, and the American Legion Motorcycle Riders, the beam traveled though Madera County, with stops at the Tesoro Viejo Fire Station and the flag barn. At this memorable moment, Bob McCaffrey remarked, “We couldn’t be more proud that a salvaged beam from that fateful day stopped at this barn of stars and stripes as it made its way through the community.”
The beam was donated to Madera County by Sims Metal, an international metal recycling company. The county will house the steel beam at the 9/11 memorial that will be located at the Madera County Courthouse Park along with memorials for World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Madera County Centennial, the Air Force, and Madera County law enforcement. The county’s new 9/11 memorial will not only honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks, but it will also preserve and honor local Madera County fire fighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
You can see video of the 9/11 Beam Arrival Ceremony at the flag barn here. Bob McCaffrey and his grandson, Dylan, were there to commemorate this special moment, and we were so honored to be included.
The county expects the memorial to be completed and revealed during the 2022 Old Timer’s Parade this September 24th when the beam will be put on its permanent monument. The public is invited to witness the placement of this meaningful piece of history in our community.
Resilience, perseverance, and hope are what we think of as we express our gratitude this Patriot Day. From all of us at McCaffrey Homes, our deepest thanks to all of those who have so selflessly served our country. We will never forget.
