NAEMT President Ken Bouvier and Director Connie Meyer joined approximately 800 family members, coworkers, friends and other dignitaries in Roanoke Memorial Day weekend at the 13th Annual National EMS Memorial Service to honor 26 EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty. 
Bouvier delivered the opening remarks at the service, held Saturday evening at the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, becoming the fourth consecutive NAEMT president to participate in the Memorial Service program. (Past Presidents James Allen, Nathan Williams and John Roquemore have been past participants.) “Our loved ones would want us to be happy, remember that they loved what they did.” Bouvier said in his remarks.
Joining Bouvier in Roanoke was NAEMT Director Connie Meyer, who served on the National EMS Memorial’s Honor Guard, bearing the Kansas state flag during the “Presentation of the Colors.” Meyer also served as an usher for the family of one of this year’s honorees, a Johnson County, Kansas, paramedic.
The National EMS Memorial Service has, since 1992, been honoring those EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty. The 26 individuals being honored this year join 282 others, previously honored by the service.
During the service, members of the honorees’ families are presented with a memorial medallion, symbolizing their eternal memory; a U.S. flag that has flown over the nation's Capitol, symbolizing their service to their community and country; and a white rose, symbolizing their undying love.
Each honoree's name is engraved on a bronze oak leaf which is added to the Tree of Life, the permanent memorial on exhibit at the To The Rescue Museum in Roanoke.
Additional information on the service, a history of the National EMS Memorial Service and a listing of the honorees are available from the service’s Web site.