A nationwide procession honoring fallen first responders will stop in Edwards to honor a legendary Eagle County paramedic
Steve Zuckerman spent his life saving others
Vail Valley Foundation/Courtesy photo
Eagle County paramedic Steve Zuckerman dedicated his life to saving others. On Thursday, his life and legacy will be honored when the National EMS Memorial Service’s annual procession stops in Edwards.
The annual moving tribute, which began June 1 in Riverside, California, is making its way across the nation while honoring emergency medical services professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. The procession, which will make 29 stops in 19 states to remember 29 EMS professionals who died in the line of duty, will finish in Arlington, Virginia, on July 19.
Eagle County Paramedic Services will host the Moving Honors procession at its Edwards station on Thursday morning between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Lovingly known as “Z-man” to his colleagues, Zuckerman died on Feb. 23, 2024, while responding to a backcountry rescue call in East Vail. His celebration of life at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek in March 2024 packed the entire 535-seat venue.
The event marks one of the many stops along the 6,500-mile journey to Arlington, where fallen EMS providers will be honored as part of the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor.
At the heart of the journey is a specially wrapped ambulance carrying the Tree of Life — this year’s installment of the memorial bearing the names of those lost. Built by EMS volunteers, the Tree is transported with reverence and remains sealed until its unveiling at the national service. A replica Tree of Life will be on display at each stop, offering communities a space to pause, reflect, and honor the lives of service.
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The public is invited to attend Thursday’s procession stop at the Eagle County Paramedic Services station at 1055 Edwards Village Boulevard.
