WHEREAS, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel play essential roles in saving lives and protecting property in communities throughout Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the safety and well-being of Virginians is important to the prosperity of Virginia’s families and communities; and
WHEREAS, Virginians value the courage and devotion of our Commonwealth’s fire and emergency medical services professionals who put their lives in danger in order to safeguard the lives and property of Virginians; and
WHEREAS, on the first Saturday of June, a statewide memorial service is held to pay tribute to firefighters and emergency medical services personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, seven valiant individuals who gave their lives to protect the people of the Commonwealth in 2018 will be recognized at the 2019 Virginia Fallen Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service; and
WHEREAS, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Memorial Week is an opportunity for Virginians to stand with firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, honor their tremendous sacrifices, and continued devotion to serving the Commonwealth;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize June 2-8, 2019, as FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MEMORIAL WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Brother Paul V. Purcell, IAFF District 4 Local 3217, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority. Brother Purcell, 59, passed away from cancer on February 1, 2019. The visitation will be on February 12, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Redland Baptist Church, 6922 Muncaster Road, Rockville, MD 20855. The funeral will be held at the same location on February 13, 2019 at 10:00 AM, interment to follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family or the Local can be sent to IAFF Local 3217, PO Box 16957 WASHINGTON, DC 20041-6957.
