Maryland Agencies Honor Responders
Twenty-two organizations gathered at a Baltimore suburb cemetery for the fifth annual National First Responders Day event.
By Karan Cabrera ·
Police, fire, and EMS personnel from across the Mid-Atlantic region gathered at King Memorial Park in Windsor Mill on Friday morning to observe National First Responders Day. The ceremony marked the fifth year the cemetery has hosted the event, drawing attendees from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Twenty-two agencies provided color guard for the proceedings.
Erich March, president of King Memorial Park, addressed the crowd to acknowledge the daily demands of the profession. He noted that these workers rise every morning, 365 days a year, to place themselves in harm's way. The group included uniformed responders, their families, and students from nearby schools.
The gathering also served as a memorial for responders lost in the line of duty. This September marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, so the crowd paused to honor those lost that day alongside those who died in the current year. Col. Michael A. Jackson, superintendent of the Maryland State Police, delivered the keynote address in the venue's Memorial Garden for Heroes.
Jackson emphasized that the names etched in stone represent lives dedicated to service. He described the individuals as people who did not hesitate to move toward danger to help others. He urged the audience to remember that behind every name in the garden is a family, whether or not the public recognizes the specific individual.
King Memorial Park has served the local African American community for more than 50 years. The organization describes itself as the largest African American-owned cemetery in the United States. The Memorial Garden for Heroes within the park is specifically dedicated to maintaining the memory of first responders.
Jackson closed his remarks by advising those present to take care of themselves and their families. He reminded the group that the toll of the job extends beyond the work itself. The ceremony concluded with the crowd acknowledging the sacrifices made by the responders they were there to honor.
The event took place on Friday, October 30. It served as a local observance for a national holiday dedicated to those who respond to emergencies.
Source: WMAR-TV
