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Alabama firefighters and emergency medical service personnel will be honored on live statewide television at the Alabama Sports Festival Games XXVII Opening Ceremonies, June 19th 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena.
The Alabama legislature passed a joint resolution, signed by Governor Bob Riley, declaring June 19, 2009, as Alabama Firefighter & Emergency Medical Personnel Day. This date coincides with the Alabama Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, where the Alabama Sports Festival will continue its Honoring Our Heroes program by recognizing the service and sacrifice of Alabama’s firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
Firefighters and EMS personnel with a minimum of ten years of service will be eligible to receive the Medal of Service. The Medal of Service is for active, volunteer, retired, disabled, or deceased firefighters and EMS personnel. The Medical of Sacrifice will be presented on behalf of all firefighters and EMS personnel killed in the line of duty, regardless of their length of service, and will be presented to a family member.
In order to receive the Medal of Service or the Medal of Sacrifice, the qualifying recipient or their representative must register before June 1, 2009 and be present at the Alabama Sports Festival Opening Ceremonies. Registration can be completed by going online or downloading a form.
All Alabama firefighters and EMS personnel with fewer than 10 years of service, as well as support personnel within their agencies, along with their families, are invited to attend the ceremonies free of charge to show support for those receiving medals. Personnel are encouraged to wear their uniforms and arrive no later than 6:45 p.m.
The Alabama Sports Festival’s Honoring Our Heroes series is part of its commitment to teach Alabama student-athletes the sacrifices made by others to keep our country a free and safe society. In 2000, the ASF honored Korean War veterans and family members of those disabled or killed in action in that war; in 2002, the ASF honored New York City firefighters and police officers for their dedicated service surrounding the September 11, 2001 tragedies; in 2007, the ASF honored Alabama military service members who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11 and family members of those disabled or killed in action in the war; and in 2008, the ASF honored Alabama law enforcement officers.
The Alabama Sports Festival, now in its 27th year, is a non-profit organization that started at the request of the United States Olympic Committee and is part of a nationwide network of state game programs. The ASF teaches the importance of academics and good citizenship through statewide, Olympic-style competition. For more information on the Alabama Sports Festival or Honoring Out Heroes - Firefighters & EMS Personnel, visit www.alagames.com or email heroes@alagames.com.
CONTACT:
Andrew J. Richardson
Communications & Development Director
(334) 280-0065