Fire trucks and EMS vehicles were at the National EMS Memorial Moving Honors Tyler stop at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Friday afternoon. (Raquel Villatoro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

During the National EMS Memorial Moving Honors at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Friday afternoon, speakers talked about the importance of honoring EMS workers who have died while on duty.

Vicky Eads, the widow of David Eads, a UT Health EMS paramedic killed in a crash in 2021, shared memories of her late husband.

“As a widow of a first responder, my heart goes out to everyone that has lost their hero,” Vicky said. “We will never forget all the sacrifices that our heroes have made for everyone. David was one of those heroes. He was one of a kind for sure. He was a paramedic that you wanted taking care of you and your family members. He interacted with patients as if they were his own family.”

After David died, many people shared with Vicky that her husband took care of them. Vicky witnessed firsthand his care for people, from helping their granddaughter during a medical emergency to being called while off-duty to help people in the small town of Memphis, Texas, where they lived.

“He never hesitated to help someone in need of medical attention,” Vicky said.

David was often described as quiet, although he wasn’t, Vicky said. UT Health EMS CEO John Smith remembers him as quiet.

“He was just listening and knew when someone was needing help, whether it was a partner, a patient or family member,” Vicky explained. “He would know because he had that in him. He had the kindest heart.”

Smith echoed that sentiment, noting many other employees said David had a big heart.

Danielle Groves, UT Health East Texas EMS Operational Supervisor, supervised David for six months before he died in November 2021. She remembers David as passionate about his job and an excellent paramedic.

Safety is a challenge for paramedics. Traffic crashes are common due to phones and people not paying attention. Paramedics respond in all kinds of conditions, Groves said.

“If it’s icy, we go to work, and if it’s burning up 104 degrees where we’re standing on the side of the highway, sweating, feeling dehydrated,” Groves said. “Now all those things, we have to show up no matter what and that’s why we’re here. That’s what we love. We love to show up, no matter what because we put ourselves aside so that we can rescue others.”

Local officials proclaimed July 12 as National EMS Memorial Service Moving Honors Day for Smith County and the City of Tyler. Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2 John Moore and Stuart Hene, City of Tyler Councilmember- District 1, made the proclamations.

Moore encourages “all residents to recognize and remember the fallen EMS and air medical personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

Hene thanked EMS workers for their dedication to keeping families and people alive.

“We couldn’t do what we do personally with our families and our jobs, without the sacrifices you all make 24 hours a day, seven days a week and during the holidays,” Hene said. “So personally, and from the city, I say thank you.”

The National Moving Honors Memorial moves throughout the United States starting from Seattle, Washington and ending in Washington D.C. where families will see the Tree of Life during the Weekend of Honor, said Megan Haverkamp, Global Medical Response Moving Honors Crew Chief.

As she travels through the U.S., Haverkamp brings a stuffed bear named Chief Ted E. Bear to comfort the kids. Each kid gets a bear during the weekend of honors. She also shares stories with the children to build connections with them.

“Those families are trying to heal from losing a loved one and they’re always in fear that their loved one is going to be forgotten,” Haverkamp said. “And by doing these ceremonies and going coast to coast, we’re showing those families even though they might not know the loved one, they’re still showing their support to those families.”