Groveton Ambulance Association 3 State Street Groveton, NH  03582 603-636-1057 www.grovetonambulance.com Dear Fellow Emergency Service Providers:         As you know, National EMS Week is right around the corner.  The dates are May 14 – 20, 2006.  We are planning many activities for this week as we usually do.         Our annual Parade of Lights will be held on Friday, May 19, 2006.  The line up and judging for this event is at 7:00 PM at Wausau Papers parking lot.  We are very excited about this year as we are dedicating this parade to the men and women who lost their lives five years ago on 09/11/2001 in New York City.  This tragedy touched all of our lives in one way or another and it is a day that will never be forgotten.  Along with our dedication, we have some special guests coming.  There will be two Manhattan Firefighter/ EMS personnel to act as judges and Parade Marshals.  These two people will be staying in the area as our guests for two nights.  Please join us at this parade and help us show them that Northern New England emergency services still remembers and still cares.         This year, for the first time, in our Parade of Lights we are asking area groups to make floats.  We really want this parade to be the best ever.  The theme for the floats is “EMS Serving on HealthCare’s Front Line”.  That is the national theme for the entire EMS Week.  If you know of any area group that would like to make a float, please contact Daniel Mowery, President of Groveton Ambulance Association, at daniel@grovetonambulance.com to register.         We will be giving three awards for floats.  Then awards for the group that traveled the furthest, the oldest rig, the most decorated rig, the most personnel present, and the most apparatus present.         After the parade there will be a bonfire and gathering before you all head home.  We really encourage you to come to this parade and bring as many apparatus as your town can spare.  Also, we are trying to start a service patch exchange for our station as well as a collection for the NYFD personnel to remember this night and bring home to show their colleagues.  Therefore, if you can bring two patches with you that would be fantastic.         Enclosed is a registration form to let us know you plan on attending and an idea of the number of apparatus you may be bringing.  (Any official town vehicle counts as an apparatus)  Please return this form to us in the self addressed stamped envelope provided.  This way we can make adequate plans and ensure a great time by all!  Thank you for your time and we cant wait to see you! With Best Wishes! Wendy Tisdale, EMTB EMS Week Committee