We are proud to honor the caring and dedicated men and women of our nation’s Emergency Medical Services who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Each year, hundreds of EMS professionals from around the country come together during this special weekend. It is a weekend of events designed to recognize and honor service and ultimate sacrifice and provide support to loved ones who are left behind. Dignitaries, EMS leaders, business leaders, and government officials will also attend.
We hope you will join us for these most important and meaningful events.
For the 2024 National EMS Weekend of Honor we will again have a website specific to the event where you can register and have access to all of the event details including schedules, hotel reservations, and our new online store. Check back regularly as the event nears for a link where you can see additional honoree bios, a link to the Memorial Service Live Stream, and more!
• If you plan on attending the entire Weekend of Honor, we recommend flying into Reagan National Airport (DCA) and arriving before 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19th. We also recommend staying at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. (All events will take place at the Hyatt.). Hotel reservations can be made directly at https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASRC/G-DPK5.
• You are encouraged to arrive early enough to be at the hotel and checked in by 3:00 p.m. as members of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride will arrive sometime at 4:00 p.m. or shortly afterward.
• If you have any questions about the Weekend of Honor, please contact us at: info@nationalemsmemorialservice.org.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC, is home to the National EMS Memorial Service and the future home of the National EMS Memorial. We invite all family members, friends, and co-workers of honorees to attend the National EMS Weekend of Honor events, honoring all EMS professionals who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Schedule of Events
Friday, July 19, 2024
Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Recommended arrival at the hotel is Friday by 2:00 p.m.; departure, after 12:00 noon, Sunday.
Line-of-Duty Death Professional Education Seminar
Location: Hyatt Regency — 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Check the hotel directory for specific room information)
National EMS Memorial Service Check-In/Registration
Location: Hyatt Regency — Independence Level from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be signs leading attendees to Check-In/Registration.
National EMS Memorial Service Gift Shop
Location: Hyatt Regency — Capital Room from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be signs leading attendees to Memorial Gift Shop.
EMS Memorial Bike Riders Welcome & Tribute to the Honorees
Location: Independence Center
Time: Approx. 4 – 6 p.m.
Attire: Casual
The EMS Memorial Bike Riders (aka: “Muddy Angels”) will be led by a procession of EMS vehicles and will arrive at the Hyatt between 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the ride is to celebrate the lives of those who have served in EMS and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The riders are predominantly EMS professionals from across the U.S. with each rider wearing dog tags bearing an honoree’s name. After all of the EMS Memorial Bike Riders have arrived, the Presentation of Dog Tags will occur. The rider will meet the family in front of the honoree’s tribute board to present the dog tags worn during the ride. This is a very powerful and inspirational part of the Weekend of Honor. The Presentation of the Dog Tags is followed by a short ceremony, also in the Hyatt.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Check-In/Registration continues and the Memorial Gift Store is open.
Family Rehearsal Breakfast
Location: Independence A
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Attire: Casual
**It is important for families of honorees to attend this breakfast as it also serves as an overview and rehearsal of the Memorial Service that will occur that evening. Breakfast will be served to all family members while organizers provide an overview of the National EMS Memorial Service, letting each family member know what to expect.
Organizers will need to know: 1) How many family members/friends will be attending so that seating can be planned accordingly (with family members and friends of each honoree seated together); 2) Which family members will be going onstage during the ceremony to receive tribute items (flag, rose, and medallion); and 3) How to correctly pronounce the name of each honoree and participating family members.
Children’s Activity (Optional)
Location: Ballroom Level – Potomac II
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Attire: Causal
Child-life specialists are specifically trained in helping children cope with the loss of a loved one. These specialists typically work with children in the hospital setting but, this weekend, they will be available to work with the children of our honorees. They hope to meet any children at the gathering Friday evening and get to know a little bit about each family. On Saturday morning, the specialists will be hosting a mini grief camp where they’ll play some ice-breaker games as well as do a therapeutic grief activity. They understand that the Memorial Service on Saturday evening may be an emotional one for family members, especially children. So they will be available that evening to provide extra support to children who may be having a difficult time. They look forward to meeting each family and working with the children.
Free Time
Families are encouraged to explore Washington, DC, and the surrounding areas. However, be sure to plan to return to the hotel in plenty of time to get ready and arrive for the National EMS Memorial Service around 4:00 p.m. Attendees should plan to eat or have a snack before the Service as there won’t be an opportunity to do so until after it is over.
National EMS Memorial Service
Location: Hyatt Regency Ballroom — Lower Level
Time: 5:00 p.m. — family arrival at 4:00 p.m.
Attire: Semi-formal attire
A reception with light refreshments hosted by the National EMS Memorial Service Board of Directors will follow. All attendees are invited to attend. The National EMS Memorial Oak Leaf walls (temporary memorial) will be on display. Bronze oak leaves engraved with the names of all honorees-to-date commemorate the lives given in the line of duty.
Sunday, July 21, 2024
National EMS Memorial Service Memorial Gift Store
Location: Capital Room
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Closing Ceremony*
Location: Independence A
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Attire: Casual attire
The Closing Ceremony is open to family and friends of the honorees as well as to all returning family members of previous honorees. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 with the program beginning at 8:00. This event will close the Weekend of Honor. It is a wonderful opportunity to share stories about your loved one and connect with others who have experienced a similar loss.