The National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will pay tribute to 144 EMS and air medical fallen from 39 states across the U.S. during the 2021 National EMS Weekend of Honor. It is scheduled Jul. 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Richmond Highway in Arlington, Virginia. The increased number of honorees being recognized this year is due to last year’s cancellation combined with ongoing research and vetting efforts dedicated to locating yet-to-be-honored EMS fallen from the past. This year’s lists include the 2019 and 2020 honorees plus 72 past EMS fallen dating back as far as 1895 that were researched and vetted for inclusion thanks to the efforts of many volunteers.

There will be a variety of activities during the three days, two of which are open to the public and media. All are invited and encouraged to attend as a show of support for the selfless service and sacrifice of the honorees and the loved ones they left behind. On Friday afternoon, Jul. 23, 2021, the arrival of the Moving Honor ambulance escorted by the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Ride of Honor, unveiling ceremony of the EMS Tree of Life and presentation of dog tags to the families will occur. The following evening, Jul. 24, 2021, the National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS and air medical professionals, will be held. Both events will be located at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. 

Therapy and comfort dogs as well as grief support teams from a variety of volunteer groups will be onsite throughout the weekend to offer support to the families and EMS volunteers. The Service will be livestreamed. 

Detailed information, including a link to the live stream of the Service, will be posted to the National EMS Memorial Service website and Facebook page once finalized.

The National EMS Weekend of Honor usually coincides with the beginning of National EMS Week in May but due to the pandemic it was rescheduled to maintain the health and safety of all involved.  “Though the service was rescheduled, we remain committed to honor the EMS and air medical providers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and support the loved ones they left behind” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “It is our duty to ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten.”

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/ or https://www.facebook.com/NEMSMS for more information on the specific event times and locations as they become available.

This press release was prepared and distributed by the National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride.