To kick off National EMS Week, Lancaster EMS hosted "A Celebration of Life Remembered Dedication Ceremony" for staff and family members at the EMS Millersville Station, 100 E. Charlotte St., Millersville, on May 17.

Heritage Monuments and Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home donated a granite monument including personalized photo and name remembrances of seven fallen EMS heroes from Lancaster County. Those remembered are Kathy Wiley (1953-2011), Polly Oakes (1965-2014), Craig Hohman (1956-2013), Larry Joe (1951-2014), Bob Thompson (1955-2014), Bob Hinkle (1954-2015) and Bobbie Stewart (1933-2017).

Previously, there were individual bricks engraved with the names and birth and death dates of the seven individuals. Marisa Seubert, director of marketing and development at Lancaster EMS, contacted Heritage Monuments and Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home last year. "The memorial garden needed a refresh and a more personal touch," stated Seubert. "The funeral home generously donated the stone and with photos of the fallen EMS heroes. We're very thankful for this partnership with the funeral home, and we're very fortunate to be able to go over to the garden and remember these folks."

First Responders Children's Foundation provided box lunches from Firehouse Subs for the attendees, and pastor Chris Lautsbaugh of Worship Center provided the invocation.

"It really means a lot to me just to have been part of this project," said Kathy Snyder from Heritage Monuments. "Fortunately, I have never needed a first responder, but you never know if you will, but it's important to show your appreciation for everything they do for the whole community."

"We want to let the EMS technicians know they are not forgotten," noted Charles F. "Chip" Snyder Jr., owner and director of Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home. "When you are there and dedicated to help people within minutes and seconds, that is one of the most important services for the people in Lancaster County, and we don't want that to be forgotten."

For more information about Lancaster EMS, visit http://www.lemsa.com.