Main Street News

Above: Community Rescue Squad’s ambulance, followed by New York State EMS personnel, the Red Knights riders, Moving Honors ambulance, and fly car led the procession down the Taconic Parkway near Chatham. Photo by Richard E. Lindmark. 

National events do not happen often in quiet, rural Columbia County. But on June 28 and 29, the National EMS Memorial Foundation Moving Honors tour was there for a procession and service honoring Stephen Jerome Walsh.

Moving Honors is a nationwide tribute to Emergency Medical Services men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year. Walsh, a member of Clausson-Raught Community Rescue Squad of Copake, was on duty on November 16, 2024. He and his partner, Greg Kipp, had just returned from a cardiac arrest call, when Walsh collapsed with a heart attack. Kipp first worked alone, then with others, unsuccessfully trying to revive him. Walsh became the first EMS worker to die on duty in Columbia County.

A procession of dozens of ambulances, fire trucks, law enforcement and motorcycles made in a powerful and touching show of support for their fallen brother on Saturday.

Lights spun and flashed, sirens cleared intersections, firefighters and equipment held traffic as the long line passed down the Taconic Parkway, through Chatham, Valatie, Kinderhook, Stottville, Hudson, Claverack, Hillsdale and into Copake. People saluted and waved their support; many filmed the impressive display.

A flag flew from a raised ladder truck at A.B. Shaw Fire Company firehouse in Claverack, where a stop was made to remember his service there.

Sunday morning, ambulances, fire trucks, and fly cars sat in rows at Copake Memorial Park. Tall floral bouquets flanked a plain wooden lectern; poster boards with photos of the men and women being honored this year were affixed to the rear wall of the wooden bandstand, and signs in front listed their names and home towns.

Men and women in dress blues, white parade shirts, duty pants, and EMS t-shirts quietly talked, occasionally laughed, and took a moment at the table with his photo and memorabilia.

A ‘whomp, whomp’ of blades announced its arrival long before the LifeNet helicopter appeared over a mountain, circled the park, and touched down in the coned off landing zone, much as it no doubt did on past calls, for the man being honored to transfer care of a patient to its crew.

The ceremony began with the Moving Honors crew chief commenting on their mission. Others told tales of their fallen friend, co-worker, and co-volunteer, dwelling on his devotion to duty to family, country and community, and ability to tell stories about anything, anytime, to anyone.

Members of Clausson-Raught Community Rescue Squad stepped to the front of the stage, holding the panels of photographs, while Kipp read names of the fallen. With each, a firefighter toned a bell on the front of a firetruck.

A few more remarks concluded the ceremony. People dispersed, emergency vehicles left, responders in them lost in thoughts about the impact of what they heard and the man who inspired those words.

Community rescue operations supervisor Peter Doty told that for Walsh to be included, “He had to be a volunteer or paid member in good standing, who died before, during or after a shift.”

Doty spoke highly and emotionally of his friendship with Walsh, especially remembering a transport to New York City. “On the way back, we got dinner. We weren’t employer/employee, we were two friends talking and laughing. His stories. On late night returns from a run typically the passenger falls asleep, we just talked the whole way. It was a great night.”

Doty called the Moving Honors weekend, “A whirlwind. We were extremely happy. The love and support for Stephen, his family and each other is the best feeling and it was filled this weekend.”

“Stephen sacrificed his life while helping others.” While they all wish to have him back, “He continues to help us heal by coming together to remember and celebrate his great accomplishments. He will always live in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.”

Moving Honors crew chief Megan Haverkamp said each stop is unique in its own way, each just as incredible as the others. For herself and the other crew members, it is emotionally taxing to be honoring every day but she notes, “We have to celebrate what they did for us, heroes trying to save somebody. Getting to hear stories of loved ones is incredible, really uplifting.”

The tour crosses the country, this year paying tribute in 29 people’s hometowns to honor their work and sacrifice with similar simple, touching ceremonies. Lives lost range from medical issues such as Walsh’s, to Covid-19 and 9/11-related illness, to vehicle and air crashes. This year it is logging over 6,500 miles, from Riverside, CA, to the national monument in Arlington, VA, where Walsh’s name will join others in ceremonies later this month.