ARLINGTON, Va. — The National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR) honored 37 fallen EMS and air medical providers from 18 states during the 2026 Weekend of Honor in Arlington, Virginia.
This year, the Moving Honors ambulance, carrying the temporary 2026 National EMS Memorial known as the Tree of Life, traveled more than 9,000 miles from Redding, California, to Arlington, NEMSMS said in a press release. Beginning June 1, the procession made stops in at least 25 states over 30 days, giving those unable to attend the Weekend of Honor a chance to pay tribute to fallen EMS and air medical providers.
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On July 17, members of the NEMSMS Honor Guard participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
About 80 participants in the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride escorted the Moving Honors ambulance to the hotel, where the 2026 Tree of Life was unveiled. Riders then presented commemorative dog tags to the families of the 37 fallen EMS and air medical honorees.
The ceremony was attended by more than 700 EMS professionals, families and supporters. The 2026 Tree of Life, bearing the names of the 37 honorees, was displayed throughout the service.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers and sponsors who make the National EMS Memorial Service, the Weekend of Honor and the Moving Honors tribute happen each year,” NEMSMS president Scott Davis said. “But the moments that stay with me are the ones you cannot plan for — a child standing on that stage as an honor guard member places a medallion around their neck that bears the name of their parent. Or two families who never met before, hugging each other because they have found someone who understands what they are going through. Watching these moments reminds me what this weekend really means. These families leave knowing they are not alone, that the EMS Family will always remember the sacrifice their loved one made, and that their service will never be forgotten. That is the whole reason we do this.”
