The Birth of a Tradition: Riding to Remember

The Birth of a Tradition: Riding to Remember

By Michael Kennard

Seventeen years ago, the National EMS Memorial Service was founded to honor those who had lost their lives in the service of their communities; seven years ago the first National EMS Bike Ride was organized to honor, remember and celebrate those lost in the line of duty. In doing so we support the National EMS Memorial Service by attending the service every year; four years ago I rode in my first EMS Memorial Bike ride. This is how traditions are born.

The bicycle ride starts in New York City, travels down the Eastern seaboard and ends in Roanoke, Virginia. Along the way the riders make many stops to participate in ceremonies with EMS squads who have lost a colleague in the line of duty.

The ceremonies are very emotional for the riders, squad members, family and friends. Although we do not usually know the person being honored we meet their colleagues and families and we hear the deep love and respect they have as they speak in testimony. It doesn't take long to realize how many lives have been touched by these heroes.

This year, for the first time, the riders were each given a dog tag with the name of a fallen hero on it. I rode for Johnny Carson, Jr. from Buchanan, Virginia. Johnny's mother was at the memorial service for Johnny in Buchanan where I had the honor of giving her the dog tag I wore for Johnny. This was one of the hardest moments I have ever experienced. I approached Johnny's mother after the official ceremony, told her about why we ride and the dog tags. When I removed it and slipped it over her head we both cried as we hugged each other. Her heartfelt hug helped erase some of the profound sadness I was feeling. As a father and grandfather I cannot begin to imagine how it feels to lose a child.

The physical pain from the ride can be considerable but we know it will eventually dissipate. The emotional pain is another story--gratefully, the riders have each other to help work through it all. I have been asked by first time riders if the emotional journey ever gets any easier. I have to always answer "no" but the rewards of meeting the families of the fallen and having a part in their continued remembrance is almost enough to counterbalance the pain.

Continuing on, we arrive at our final destination, Hotel Roanoke, where The National EMS Memorial Service tradition began 17 years ago. Families and friends of the fallen greet us with genuine warmth as we ride into the parking lot. Last year after arriving at Roanoke a woman came out of the crowd, hugged me and thanked me for doing the ride and remembering all the EMS providers lost in past years, including her brother. Everywhere you look in the parking lot you see riders meeting with families, hearing their stories and embracing each other.

Attending the Memorial Ceremony is never easy. Watching the parents and children of the fallen always leaves me with a huge lump in my throat and tears on my cheeks. At the very first service I attended, a tough and gruff NYC medic asked me if I had tissues, I said I didn't and he pulled out a handful, gave them to me and told me I'd need them. He was so right; we ended up crying all over each other throughout the ceremony.

The families of those being inducted into the EMS Memorial are presented with a flag that has flown over the nation's capitol, a white rose to signify their undying love and a medallion signifying eternal memory. After the ceremony the Memorial Service serves the attendee's lunch where the riders can meet with the families and offer condolences before saying goodbye.

I urge all of you in EMS to participate in this new tradition. I can promise that you will come away with a huge new appreciation of all who serve.

For more information on the National EMS Bike Ride; https://muddyangels.org.

For more information on the National EMS Memorial Service;https://nemsms.org.

Mike Kennard has been in EMS for 31 years, currently working at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH, as a paramedic. He is also a program coordinator for the State of NH Bureau of EMS. Married 32 years with two daughters and five grandchildren, he is a retired assistant chief from the Nottingham (NH) Fire and Rescue Department.