EMS Memorial Bike Ride Arrives in Roanoke, VA

The EMS Memorial Bike Team safely arrived in Roanoke, Virginia at approximately 5 p.m. Friday, May 26, reports co-organizer Dave Gilbert.

"Our rides from Woodstock, Virginia to Staunton and from Staunton to Roanoke were Fabulous," he wrote to EMSResponder.com. "We had Excellent overnight accommodations in both Woodstock and Staunton and the meals provided by both cities' rescue squads were very good.

"Despite no parade on Saturday it is my opinion that we more than made up for the loss today (on Friday.) We had several local departments join us for our final leg into Roanoke from Troutville."

He said Saturday's plans included for the riders to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Lifegaurd flights. "Plans are for Carrilion to land 2 of their helicopters at the Roanoke stadium and host an event from 1100 hours to 1400 hours," he wrote. The riders planned to attend the National EMS Memorial Service Saturday evening.

The ride team is staying at The Hotel Roanoke. Departure for the trip back to New York is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday.

The 2006 EMS Memorial Bike Ride began Sunday, May 21 in New York City and followed a six hundred mile course to Roanoke, Virginia, to honor the memory of those EMS professionals being inducted at the memorial service.

NAEMT Board member Jennifer Frenette, a participant in the ride, wrote in her latest post on the NAEMT web site,

"The final 10 miles we stayed together, letting the slower riders set the pace. The excitement grew the closer we got to Roanoke. With each stroke closer, we picked up an ambulance or two and the sirens wailed on.

"We got to Hotel Roanoke to the cheers and applause of lots of friends and families -- Ken Bouvier and Kevin Agard among them. Pictures and champagne all over the place!"

To read more from Jennifer visit www.naemt.org, and watch EMSResponder.com for more on the National EMS Memorial Service.