By Bill Carey
EMS1
WASHINGTON — The 2024 National EMS Weekend of Honor, featuring the National EMS Memorial Service and Bike Ride, will honor 36 EMS and air medical personnel from 18 states.
Scheduled for July 19-21, the event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Virginia, the organization stated in a press release.
During the three-day event, several activities are planned. The Moving Honors procession will start with stops in Alaska and Hawaii, before embarking on a 14-day journey from Washington state to Arlington, Va., beginning on the afternoon of July 19.
This procession will be accompanied by the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Ride of Honor to the Hyatt Regency. An unveiling ceremony for the Tree of Life, featuring the names of the 36 honorees, and a presentation of dog tags to the families will take place there.
The National EMS Weekend of Honor usually coincides with the beginning of National EMS Week in May but was moved to July in 2021 and based upon overwhelming positive feedback from attendees plus the reduction in cost for everyone, the decision was made to continue to host the events in July.
“We remain focused on our commitment to recognizing the EMS and air medical providers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and supporting the loved ones they left behind,” National EMS Memorial Service President Scott Davis said. “Our mission is to ensure their sacrifice is always remembered and never forgotten.”