Tenth Annual National EMS Memorial Service May 25, 2002 page 2
Designed by:  H. Gene Knight	Designed by:  Phil Bagby Signs

Well, after leaving the Museum, we decided to head back to our respective hotels to get ready for the Service.  We got there about 6:30, and Gus, Charlie, and Ed were waiting outside the church for us.  Part of Neal's family was already inside the church, so Dawn, the Regional Coordinator, took us down to the Sherman pew. 

It was a massive church, very beautiful inside.  An impressive place to have the service in deed.  The service started with the Presentation of Colors, including the Pipe and Drum Corp from Boston and Color Guards from eight Fire & EMS agencies.  Each person being honored was also honored by having a state flag represented in the procession.  Again, this was truly an impressive sight to see.  I remember the honor guard from SVFD at Neal's funeral.  They too, were truly impressive and you can tell that they put a lot of effort into looking sharp.

As the service went on, and they got closer to Neal's name being called, I started getting very nervous and scared.  Thank God for Gus, who was mine and Ashleigh's Usher.  He kept me calm and kept telling me that I was going to be ok and that I could do this.  Ultimately, he proved to be right.  They called his name.  It was both wonderful and sad at the same time to see my husband larger than life on a 40 foot screen.  It was like he was up there waiting for us and thinking that got me up to the stage.  I just kept staring at his face.  And the picture they used, was the most special picture I have of Neal... and it made it that much better for me.

              
This is when the put the medallion around my neck.  It was on a red, white, and blue ribbon.  The back of the medallion is engraved with Neal's name and the date of his death.

This is after I had received the flag and then Gus took Ashleigh so we could go back to our seats. 

It was over.  Gus carried Ashleigh back and I held on to him just to get me back.  When we got back to our seats, I let out the biggest sigh of relief that I think I ever had.  It was definitely one of the most beautiful moments in my life.  I honestly think only marrying Neal and giving birth to Ashleigh were more beautiful than what happened at the National EMS Memorial Service. 

While I pray to God that no one reading this page ever has to be up on that stage, I too pray that if your loved one must leave, that he is honored in this oh so dignified and emotional tribute to those who gave all.

President Bush says it best:

I will forever remember your goodness and your love my Angel.  
And Ashleigh will forever have the flag and the medallion as more items that show the incredible devotion that you had for EMS, 
and the one reason that you are not here with us now....  

Because you gave all that day.  And we'll love you forever for that.
(I'm proud of you Pooh...You were, and always will be my hero!)

I can not begin to thank the National EMS Memorial Service, the Board of Directors, our wonderful liaison and new friend, Regional Coordinator Dawn Novisky, and all of the friends and family who were there with Ashleigh and I.  A special thanks to Gus and Eric, for keeping me strong through the weekend.... and a heartfelt thanks to Charlie, Ed, and Lori who were there as friends to Neal first and representing Neal's fire department and rescue squad respectively, second. 

And finally last, but in no way least, thank you to our families, Mom, Gary, Mom H., Randy, Dad Bill, Donna, Aunt Lizzie, Heather, Joey, and Robert. 

I don't think I'd have made it this far if it weren't for all of you.  I love you all... so very very much

Ashleigh's Homepage

The Sherman Family
© 2003
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