A new ambulance has been added to the fleet at the Muskogee County EMS in Oklahoma and it pays tribute to the military.
The one of a kind ambulance features a sunset theme and troops’ silhouettes with the words “For those who serve … so others may live” inscribed proudly on its side as a tribute to military service members, according to Muskogee Phoenix.
Emergency Medical Technician Billy Caves said, “This ambulance design is a tribute to all who are serving and who have served.”
Muskogee County Sheriff Rob Frazier said, “As a Marine veteran, this means the world to me. When we see that thing going down the road, and we’ve got something going on in the sheriff’s office or something’s getting to me, to be able to see that truck is gonna help it be OK.”
Frazier, along with Camp Gruber’s Command Sgt. Maj. Gordon Carlin, and local business owner Victor Lezama, delivered speeches at an unveiling ceremony, followed by a photo session, and then the ambulance was opened for public viewing.
Vietnam veteran Alan Lester said, “I think it’s really great.”
Muskogee EMS dispatcher Kandis Crespy designed the wrap after she was asked by special projects coordinator Michael McWilliams, EMS1.com stated.
Crespy said, “I took sort of an EMS saying, which is ‘so others may live,’ and I thought it went perfectly with something dedicated for those who serve. I thought it sounded awesome together, so I just put it all on there — I’m very proud it came out really nice.”
Okla. EMS honors veterans with new ambulance https://t.co/vOxYPjQyRM pic.twitter.com/njwEnAQij2
— EMS1 (@EMS1) May 22, 2019
“Seeing the attention to detail on the ambulance and the artwork truly shows the respect EMS has for our servicemen and women. There is no doubt that when our community see this ambulance rolling down the streets, they will easily be able to tell what it stands for, our military men and women,” said Lezama, who spent time flying a helicopter for LifeFlight’s now non-operational Keefeton station.
“I wanted to continue the mission. I believe a lot of us want to continue to serve our community when we get out, and what better way than to become a first responder?” Lezama added.
The Muskogee County EMS currently employs nine veterans and hosts two veterans on its governing board.
Lezama said, “The EMS structure is similar to what we have been exposed to in the military and a lot of us crave that structure. Our men and women are some of the best trained personnel in the world and joining the EMS world is another way to continue to utilize their skills.”
Muskogee County EMS Community Relations Coordinator Trish German said, “The Muskogee people love their veterans and stand behind their veterans’ 100 percent. I’m sure we’re going to start getting phone calls once it gets out there and people want to know if the veterans’ truck can come by their PR event — we’re excited.”
