The  National EMS Memorial Moving Honors ceremony service, which marks the half-way point of the mobile memorial’s procession across the U.S., was held at the Global Medical Response headquarters in Lewisville on July 6. Texas State Senator Drew Springer, a 17-year volunteer firefighter, spoke at the ceremony.

The procession, which begins the countdown to the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) and Weekend of Honor, has expanded nationwide this year and will cross 20 states carrying a custom-built Tree of Life engraved with the names of the 59 fallen EMS and air medical professionals – including two Texans – who are being added this year to the NEMSMS honoree directory. The Tree of Life is a representation of an oak tree, symbolizing strength. Each honoree’s name, agency and date of loss is engraved on a bronze oak leaf that is then added to the Tree of Life.

The specially designed ambulance and accompanying response vehicle began their journey at American Medical Response Riverside located in Riverside, California, on June 23. Lewisville is the mid-way point for the processional. From there, it will travel to other cities across the country, including Shreveport, Kansas City, Chicago, Louisville, Columbus, Pittsburgh and New York, so that family members, fellow first responders and community members can view a replica of the tree and pay their respects to the fallen.

The Moving Honors procession will be met in Arlington, Virginia, on July 21 by the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Ride of Honor. There, families, friends, and loved ones of the honorees as well as first responders from around the country, will gather for a weekend of events to honor air and ground EMS providers.

Texas State EMS Director Joe Schmider also spoke at the ceremony.