72 EMS Fallen to be Honored During National EMS Weekend of Honor

WASHINGTON, DC—The National EMS Memorial Service, the National EMS Memorial Foundation and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride announced May 17, 2022, that they will pay tribute to 72 EMS and air medical fallen first responders from 26 states across the U.S. during the 2022 National EMS Weekend of Honor.

The event is scheduled for July 22–24 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA. These courageous men and women made the ultimate sacrifice and will receive the nation’s highest honor in EMS for having died in the line of duty while serving others.

The list of the 2022 honorees can be found here.

There will be several activities during the three days. Two are open to the public and media.

On Friday afternoon, July 22, 2022, the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Ride of Honor will escort the Moving Honor’s ambulance to the hotel where the families will be waiting. Then follows the unveiling ceremony of the EMS Tree of Life, the temporary National EMS Memorial, and a presentation of dog tags to the families.

Saturday evening, July 23, 2022, the National EMS Memorial Service, a formal ceremony to honor fallen EMS and air medical professionals, will be held. Here families ceremoniously receive national commemoratives during commendations that include honor guard salutes and pipe and drum observances.

Both of 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 it was moved to July to better accommodate family travel and reduce cost.

“It is fitting we announce the honorees during EMS Week, a time dedicated to celebrating all in emergency medical services who serve. It is important that we also remember those in EMS who gave all. We remain committed to recognizing the EMS and air medical providers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while supporting the loved ones they left behind,” said Jana Williams, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. “It is our mission to ensure their sacrifice is always remembered and to provide for their families an avenue for healing.”

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.