The Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) will host the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) Moving Honors Procession on Wednesday, July 17th at 3 p.m. at RAA headquarters, 2400 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. The procession pays tribute to the heroes of emergency medical services (EMS) and air medical providers who were tragically killed in the line of duty across the nation.
The Moving Honors Procession travels across the country with the “Tree of Life” memorial which carries the names of those who have lost their lives. Each year the names of new honorees are added to the memorial. A specially decorated ambulance housing the memorial stops in cities across the country allowing friends, family, colleagues and communities to recognize and pay tribute to fallen EMS professionals. It symbolizes the unity of the EMS community and its collective mourning for those who lost their lives. The procession also seeks to raise awareness of the challenges facing EMS providers and the importance of supporting and recognizing their vital role in society.
This year, NEMSMS is honoring 36 fallen EMS and air medical providers who lost their lives in 18 states across the U.S. The Moving Honors procession began in Seattle, WA earlier this month. The memorial has visited multiple states on its way to Arlington, VA. On July 18th it will arrive in Washington, D.C. where a ceremony on congressional grounds will take place before arriving in Arlington where honoree families will attend a ceremony to kick off the National EMS Weekend of Honor. The Weekend of Honor takes place July 18-21 and is filled with ceremonies and events where people can pay their respects and heal together while honoring the fallen.
About National EMS Memorial Service
Their mission is to honor those in EMS from air and ground who have made the ultimate sacrifice having died in the line of duty and it is the organization congressionally sanctioned to conduct the annual service. Visit us at www.national-ems-memorial.org
