Arrival of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Kicks off the National EMS Weekend of Honor

Oxon Hill, MD- On Friday, May 18 at approximately 4:00 p.m. the families, friends, and colleagues of EMS and air medical professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty as well as EMS legacy personnel who have died of natural or non-employment-related causes will gather to cheer the National EMS Memorial Bike Riders as they roll into the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center Lower Level Atrium (Waterfront). The riders began their journey in Boston last Saturday and have traveled over 500 miles in the rain in honor their fallen colleagues. They will be led by law enforcement and fire/EMS vehicles as they proceed to the hotel. Bagpipe and drum corps along with honor guards from around the United States will also be there to welcome the riders. Each of the over 130 participants and support teams will be carrying dog tags inscribed with the names of 77 individuals they have ridden in memory of over the past seven days. The riders will present their dog tags to the awaiting families, friends or colleagues. A short ceremony will follow the dog tag presentations. A team from HOPE Animal-assisted Crisis Response (www.hopeaacr.org) will also be on hand at the event. The Ride is tough no matter how experienced and accomplished of a rider you are and this year it has been especially tough with the inclement weather. Brian Shaw, president of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, when asked shared his insight into why they ride. “Participants in the National EMS Memorial B...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Administration and Leadership Source Type: news