Category: Press Releases

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: National EMS Memorial Service Closes Out the 2016 Weekend of Honor

WHEN: Saturday, May 21 at 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Ballroom
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

WHO: Families, friends, and colleagues of the 32 EMS and air medical professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty in service to others will be in attendance. Honor guards along with bagpipe and drum corps travel from around the United States to volunteer their time and services in honor of the fallen. This year’s keynote speaker will be James P. Booth, EMS Chief of the City of New York Fire Department. There will also be a team from HOPE Animal-assisted Crisis Response (www.hopeaacr.org ) at the service to provide comfort and support to the families, colleagues and volunteers.

DETAILS: According to Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service, “The purpose of the service is twofold – to honor the lives of our fallen colleagues and to provide hope, along with our unwavering support, to their families. We feel it is the responsibility of the EMS community to stand by the families during this time of tremendous loss and sometimes overwhelming grief. The annual memorial service offers an opportunity for the family, friends and associates of fallen EMS providers to meet and connect with others who understand what they’re going through.”

During the service each honoree’s family is presented with the following three items:

• A U.S. flag that has flown over the Nation’s Capital – denoting the honoree’s service to country
• A white rose – representing undying love
•  A medallion – signifying eternal memory

A national moment of silence is called during the service at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern) and EMS agencies across the U.S. participate in 30 seconds of radio silence in remembrance of the fallen. Additionally, a tribute video, prepared specifically in honor and remembrance of the year’s honorees, will be shown.

Every year of the National EMS Memorial “Tree of Life” (1993-2016) will be on display. A large panel for each year features an image of an oak tree with bronze leaves that are engraved with the names of fallen honorees.

For those who cannot attend but would like to see the service, a live stream video will be done via the following internet link: http://live.hosted.events/NationalEMSMemorialService/ . It will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. EDT.

A Candlelight Ceremony will close out the evening. A light reception sponsored by the Board of Directors of the National EMS Memorial Service follows and all participants are invited to attend.

The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial Service, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. See http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/events-2/weekend-of-tribute for more information on the specific event times and locations.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For high resolution versions of these images click the links below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1xcyzefzlk6qfm4/Memorial%20Service_16.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uo076thmdwx6mdv/Memorial%20Service_6.JPG?dl=0

# # #

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: Welcoming of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride to Arlington, VA
WHEN: Friday, May 20 at 4:00 p.m. (approximately)
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Independence Center A
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

WHO: Families, friends, and colleagues of EMS and air medical professionals who lost
their lives in the line of duty as well as EMS legacy personnel who have died of natural
or non-employment-related causes will gather to cheer the National EMS Memorial Bike
Riders as they roll into Arlington. The riders will be led by law enforcement and
fire/EMS vehicles as they proceed to the hotel. Bagpipe and drum corps along with honor
guards from around the United States will also be there to welcome the riders.

DETAILS: Each of the 100 participants will be carrying dog tags inscribed with the
names of 90 individuals that they have ridden in honor and memory of over the past
seven days. The riders will present their dog tags to the awaiting families, friends or
colleagues. A short ceremony will follow the dog tag presentations. A team from HOPE
Animal-assisted Crisis Response ( www.hopeaacr.org ) will also be on hand at the event.
The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed
organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial Service, and
the National EMS Memorial Foundation. The lives of 32 air medical and EMS providers
who died in the line of duty in 2015 will be honored and celebrated on Saturday evening,
May 21, at the National EMS Memorial Service. See http://www.national-emsmemorial.
org/events-2/weekend-of-tribute for more information on the specific event
times and locations.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For high resolution versions of these images click the links below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zf4f65k01gbexac/Arrival%20of%20riders.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3v31jpo04mfiv4h/Ceremony%20and%20presentation%20of
%20dog%20tags_9.JPG?dl=0
National EMS Memorial Service:
For more information, visit https://www.national-ems-memorial.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/NEMSMS; Follow us on Twitter at @NEMSMS and
@NEMSMSweekend.

National EMS Memorial Foundation:
For more information, visit www.emsmemorial.com. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-EMS-Memorial-
Foundation/139542192884813?fref=ts; Follow us on Twitter at @EMSmemorial

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride:
For more information, visit www.muddyangels.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/muddyangels; Follow us on Twitter at @nemsmbr and on
Instagram at @nemsmbr.

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (East Coast Route) to kick off the 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

WHO: Over 100 participants will be volunteering their time and resources to honor the
lives of 90 EMS individuals over this seven-day ride from Boston to Arlington, VA. The
Muddy Angels, as they are called, come from throughout the United States and Canada.
They are riding for the National EMS Memorial Service inductees, as well as EMTs and
paramedics who made significant contributions to their EMS communities and who died
of natural or non-employment related causes.

WHY: When asked why they ride, National EMS Memorial Bike Ride East Coast
Coordinator Ken Fritz stated, “I think it’s important to remember not only those we’ve
lost, but all that are in the field each day. EMS is a dangerous, difficult profession, but
one that is totally essential in our society. I believe it’s important to raise awareness of the
profession as a whole and to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the
line of duty.”

DETAILS: Check out the routes by day for the ride at the following site:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/2016-NEMSMBR-East-Coast-Day-1 .

Please note that the Day 3 route in New York City will be escorted by New York Police
Department and Fire Department New York so final route will be not be determined until
the day of the event. The final day of the Ride will end with the arrival of the riders at the
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA, where they will present each family with a
dog tag inscribed with the name of their loved one.

The National EMS Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following
volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS
Memorial Service, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. The lives of air medical
and EMS providers who died in the line of duty in 2016 will be honored and celebrated.
See the National EMS Memorial website http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/events-
2/weekend-of-tribute for more information on the specific event times and locations.

# # #

Editor’s Note: For high resolution versions of these images click the links below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cddeke27wlfsdo5/EMS%20Memorial_23.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4rdjfgiaoh7uq8d/Ceremony%20and%20presentation%20of
%20dog%20tags_31.JPG?dl=0

National EMS Memorial Service:
For more information, visit www.national-ems-memorial.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/NEMSMS; Follow us on Twitter at @NEMSMS and
@NEMSMSweekend.

National EMS Memorial Foundation:
For more information, visit www.emsmemorial.com. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-EMS-Memorial-
Foundation/139542192884813?fref=ts; Follow us on Twitter at @EMSmemorial

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride:
For more information, visit www.muddyangels.org. “Like” us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/muddyangels; Follow us on Twitter at @nemsmbr and on Instagram at @nemsmbr.

Special events open to the public include:
National EMS Memorial Service & National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

Washington, D.C. (May 6, 2016) – The National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will pay tribute to 32 fallen EMS and air medical providers from 15 states during the 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor, scheduled May 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway in Arlington, Va.

There are many activities and events during the three-day 2016 National EMS Weekend of Honor, including two events that the public and media are invited and encouraged to attend as a show of support for the selfless service and sacrifice of the 2016 honorees:

Media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Sara Hunt, Public Relations Coordinator
804-994-1120
SaraHuntPR@gmail.com

Tammy Chatman, PIO
414-791-6655
tchatman@mrmcffl.org

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016
Arrival & Tribute of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR)

• The NEMSMBR celebrates the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those EMS legacy personnel who have died of natural or non-employment-related causes.
• About 100 EMS Memorial Bike Riders, led by a procession of EMS vehicles, will arrive at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, concluding a trip that began on May 14 in Boston and kicking off the 2016 Weekend of Honor.
• Riders are predominantly EMS professionals from across the U.S., and each rider wears dog tags bearing an honoree’s name, agency and date of their loss.
• Upon arrival at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, the Presentation of Dog Tags to the families will occur. The rider will meet the family in front of the honoree’s biography to present one of their two dog tags worn during the ride – an emotionally powerful part of the Honor Weekend. The rider will keep the other dog tag as a lifetime reminder of the honoree’s sacrifice.

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016
National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS)

• The National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS professionals, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.
• The entire memorial service can be viewed via live-streaming.
• Hundreds of EMS personnel from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the NEMSMS, along with friends, co-workers of current and past honorees, dignitaries, EMS and business leaders, and government officials.
• All participants in the NEMSMS will be in dress uniform, flight suits, or similar appropriate attire.
• Honor Guards, along with bagpipe and drum corps will volunteer their time and services throughout the weekend.
• An American flag, sent by President Barack Obama on behalf of a grateful nation, is presented to each honoree’s family along with the NEMSMS medallion.
• During the service, a National Moment of Silence will be called at 6:00 PM (Eastern), so that EMS agencies across the U.S. can pause simultaneously in 30 seconds of radio silence to pay respect and remember the fallen—together.
• The year’s honorees are highlighted in a special Tribute Video, followed by an uplifting Candlelight Ceremony that concludes the service.
• The National EMS Memorial “Tree of Life” will be on display. Bronze oak leaves are engraved with the names of fallen honorees for each year since 1993.

In August 2015, the three EMS organizations named above agreed to collaborate on a shared vision and strategic plan to honor EMS heroes who have died in the line of duty. They are continuing to move forward with efforts to establish a permanent National EMS Memorial in the greater Washington, D.C. area, an effort being led by the National EMS Memorial Foundation. More updates on these efforts will be forthcoming.

“This year, the National EMS Weekend of Honor coincides with the conclusion of National EMS Week, which is May 15-21,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “Our nation’s capital area in Northern Virginia is a fitting location for these annual memorial events that commemorate our country’s brave men and women in the field of emergency medical services.”

# # #

Editor’s Note: High-res images can be downloaded from Dropbox at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/c7pck80a4ftttby/AABTQ5ejFGDwYJ9-c0FcDmZIa?dl=0

Printable PDF