Air Medical Memorial Transcript: Groundbreaking Ceremony June 23, 2011

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The Air Medical Memorial

Kevin Hutton MD, FACEP
MedEvac Foundation International Chair

Good afternoon

On behalf of the MedEvac Foundation International, it is an honor to be here for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Air Medical Memorial and Survivor's Garden.

We are here because we believe in the mission provided by the air medical community around the world. Tragically, there have been those that did not complete their mission and most of us here have been personally impacted by that painful loss.

Today we celebrate those souls, and offer a place for family and friends to gather, reflect, express their feelings, and to pay their respects so that their memories live on forever.

The Survivors Garden offers a unique place for those that need to feel that kinship with others whose lives changed forever when they were fortunate to survive a crash. It will become a place to heal and find comfort knowing they are not alone with these uncontrollable emotions that are so foreign.

The MedEvac Foundation, and myself personally along with my fiance' Sandy Kinkade are proud to have sponsored several opportunities along the way to bring this day to reality. There have been several people working behind the scenes to make sure this vision not only comes to life, but is sustainable into the future.

We are all committed to the goal of zero accidents. Known as Vision Zero in our community, this program demonstrates that safety is personal and that safety management systems, oversight and speaking up must remain top priorities.

Those whose voices are here with us as survivors ring a common theme that those whose voices we lost would echo ... prevent this from happening again. By raising awareness we are going to make that request happen ... but we have to come together as a community to realize that goal. We can learn volumes from our colleagues around the world, as they can from us here in the United States. As has been said before ... safety is not proprietary. Let's make those that we honor here today proud of the future of our industry and find a common path where we will not have to add another name to the memorial wall behind me.

This beautiful site will always remain thanks to the hard work of not only the creators of the park, but of the entire community in supporting its future.

Thank you.

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