FORT SMITH, Ark. — After strong winds blew away wreaths that had been placed on veterans’ graves at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, a group of paramedics volunteered their time to put them back on the headstones.
“It honors the men and women that gave their lives for our country,” paramedic Ramon Contreras told KFSM. “I think it is very important to show pride.”
The executive director of Fort Smith EMS, Tim Hearn, said he wasn’t surprised the four paramedics volunteered their time.
“They love helping. They are always doing something like this,” he said. “They love our city and do whatever they can to assist outside the box of being a paramedic.”
Fort Smith medics have regularly given back to their community. “Last week these crews were hanging coats and scarfs on light poles downtown for the homeless,” Hearn said. “And they even donated their station’s microwave to a family.”
More than 16,000 wreaths have been placed on graves at the cemetery to honor fallen veterans.
Fort Smith EMS medics came to the rescue after the Christmas Honors wreaths blew over at the National Cemetery. pic.twitter.com/M8MN2YFLo4
— Meredith Baldwin (@5NEWSMeredith) December 14, 2015