National EMS Weekend of Honor Announces New Dates

WASHINGTON, DC—The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF) and the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) announced April 4, 2021, that the 2021 National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor, originally scheduled for May, has been moved to July 23–25, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA.

“The goal for the reschedule was to balance our commitment to provide a safe and healing environment for all attendees while providing special recognition for the many participants who remain on the front line of the COVID-19 response,” according to a release. “The ceremonies will pay tribute to the past two years' honorees—2019-2020—due to the cancellation of the 2020 events in response to the pandemic.”

Those attending the Weekend of Honor and staying overnight are asked to use this link when booking hotel rooms. This link allows organizations and the hotel to better meet CDC guidelines for safe in-person gatherings over the three days. For questions contact the hotel at 877-803-7534.

The weekend will include a series of events to honor all air and ground EMS providers who serve in the U.S., while focusing on those who become ill or injured related to their duty. It culminates with a formal service to specifically honor those who have died in the line of duty.

“For the past 20 years the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor begin with the arrival of our cyclist and support personnel meeting the honoree families,” stated Brian Shaw, NEMSMBR president. “With that tradition in mind, and in addition to the five nationwide bike rides we have planned for September of this year, we are actively preparing a one-day ride into this year’s Weekend of Honor befitting our honorees. We will continue to shine a light on the sacrifices those in EMS make.”

This year’s National EMS Memorial Service will pay tribute to over one hundred EMS providers who died in the line of duty in the largest NEMSMS service ever performed. It will include numerous historical honorees as well a number of recipients directly related to the pandemic.

“I reaffirm there has never been a more defining time to honor the service and sacrifice of those in EMS as there remains right now,” said Jana Williams, NEMSMS president. “Despite persistent challenges, we remain committed that the fallen will not be forgotten. We appreciate the continued support to ensure they receive the full national recognition they deserve.”

The list of honorees and information on the weekend’s events including the National EMS Moment of Silence will be posted to the NEMSMS website at www.national-ems-memorial.org in the coming weeks.

“We support our partners at the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and the National EMS Memorial Service as they prepare modified events this year to honor our EMS colleagues,” shared Katie Orsino, NEMSMF executive director. “What our first responders have demonstrated especially over the last year has been extraordinary. It reinforces our resolve to bring a permanent EMS memorial to the nation’s capital to honor their commitment, service, and sacrifice. We will not waiver in our efforts to ensure it becomes reality.”