TABLE OF CONTENTS
Choose a page.
Everything in the guide is right here near the beginning. Tap any row to go directly to that page.
YOUR WEEKEND, YOUR PACE
Build a plan that leaves room to breathe.
Select more than one priority. The official public ceremonies stay protected; your optional time is matched around them.
CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF
What do you need right now?
This does not change the official schedule. Tap the answer that fits this moment—and come back whenever the feeling changes.
♡
Choose what you need in this moment.
Your recommendation will appear here without rebuilding the rest of the weekend.
THE WEEKEND FLOW
Four days, anchored by remembrance.
Official details are marked clearly. Optional plans can be skipped without affecting the Weekend of Honor.
NATIONAL EMS WEEKEND OF HONOR
Know what is public, formal, and family-only.
Event details below are based on the official 2026 Weekend of Honor overview. Recheck the official event site before leaving.
Open to publicFRI · 11:15 AM
Wreath laying at the Tomb
Changing of the Guard at 11:00 a.m.; formal wreath laying at 11:15 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.
- Security screening and photo ID may be required
- About 0.7 mile uphill from the Welcome Center
- Water and restrooms at the Welcome Center
Open to publicFRI · 4–6:30 PM
Ride of Honor arrival
Welcome the riders and Moving Honors procession at the Hyatt, followed by the Tree of Life unveiling and dog-tag presentations.
Casual attire · Bikes expected around 4:00 p.m.
Open to publicSAT · 5 PM
National EMS Memorial Service
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. The formal service begins promptly at 5:00 p.m.; the national moment of silence occurs during the service.
- Class A/department uniform, semi-formal, or business formal
- Eat or have a snack before the service
- Light reception follows
RestrictedSUN · 8–10 AM
Closing ceremony
The family breakfast closes the official weekend and is reserved for honoree families, board members, Honor Guard, agency escorts, and donors.
The public guide keeps this visible for planning, but does not add it to a general visitor itinerary.
YOUR HOME BASE
Courtyard Arlington Crystal City
Your hotel is approximately 0.07 mile from the Hyatt Regency, the official Weekend of Honor venue. That keeps the key ceremonies, support spaces, and memorial displays just a very short walk away.
YOUR HOTEL2899 Richmond Highway
Arlington, VA 22202Weekend events: Hyatt Regency, 2799 Richmond HighwayPhoto: Marriott property gallery
Arlington, VA 22202Weekend events: Hyatt Regency, 2799 Richmond HighwayPhoto: Marriott property gallery
Your stayJuly 16–19 · 3 nights
Check-inThursday · 3:00 PM
Check-outSunday · 12:00 PM
DCA shuttleEvery 30 min · 5:00 AM–12:00 AM
Airport / MetroFree scheduled hotel shuttle
BreakfastAvailable for purchase at The Bistro
Fitness centerOpen 24 hours
Event venueHyatt Regency · about 0.07 mile
WHEN YOU BOTH HAVE ENERGY
Paul + Cynthia’s Scooter Breather Loop
An optional Arlington ride for fresh air, coffee, and a little fun—close enough to shorten or stop whenever the weekend feels heavy.
1
CourtyardStart only after checking the next official event.
2
Crystal City Water ParkWater, seating, food kiosks, and the easiest turn-back point.
3
Long Bridge ParkOpen views and room to breathe. Turn around if energy drops.
4
Good Company coffeeCoffee or doughnuts before the short return to the hotel.
4–5 miPlanning estimate45–70 minRiding + pauses2 exitsWater Park or Long Bridge
Ride it only if it helps.
The full loop stays in Arlington. The short version turns around at Water Park. Scooter availability, battery range, operating zones, and prices must be checked in the provider’s app when you are ready to leave.
- Use bike lanes or trails when available and follow every posted restriction.
- Dismount in crowds and around memorial or ceremony activity.
- Park upright without blocking sidewalks, doors, curb ramps, bus stops, or accessible paths.
- One rider per scooter; helmets are strongly encouraged.
- Skip the ride in rain, poor visibility, or when either of you feels emotionally or physically tired.
PAUL + CYNTHIA RIDE CHALLENGE
Scooter-Loop Photo Quest
Six happy memories to collect along the route. Park completely before taking any picture.
Ride progress
MOVE WITH CONFIDENCE
Four routes from the host hotel.
Each starts with the easiest practical decision and includes a restroom or reset point.
CourtyardTombFRIDAY HONOR ROUTE
Courtyard → Arlington Cemetery
Shuttle/Metro + walkAllow 60–75 minUphill
Use the Courtyard shuttle to the DCA Metro or walk to Crystal City Metro, take the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery, clear security, then continue about 0.7 mile uphill.
🚻 Welcome Center + Memorial Amphitheater
Open live transit directions ↗
CourtyardWater ParkEASY RESET WALK
Crystal City Water Park
EasyAbout 1.7 mi round-tripFood kiosks
A flexible neighborhood walk for air, coffee, and a gentle reset without committing to downtown D.C.
🚻 Crystal City Shops or nearby cafés
Open walking directions ↗
CourtyardMallOPTIONAL D.C. WINDOW
Smithsonian + National Mall
Shuttle + Metro2–4 hoursMostly free
Take the Courtyard shuttle to the DCA Metro, use the Yellow Line toward downtown, and choose only one museum or memorial zone.
🚻 Smithsonian museums during open hours
Open live transit directions ↗
CourtyardDCAARRIVAL + DEPARTURE
Reagan National Airport
Free hotel shuttleEvery 30 min0.5 mile
The Courtyard shuttle operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to midnight and can also connect you to the DCA Metro station.
🚻 Courtyard lobby and airport terminals
Verify current shuttle ↗COFFEE WITH A PURPOSE
Good coffee near the moments that matter.
Independent and local options are grouped by the part of the weekend they fit best.
FUEL BETWEEN HONORS
Local food, clearly priced.
Price bands are planning estimates per person before tax and tip: $ up to $10 · $$ up to $20 · $$$ up to $30 · $$$$ $30+.
PERSONAL SPENDING
Every traveler gets their own view.
This prototype saves entries on this device. Add a traveler name to separate spending.
Remaining$250$0 spent
REVIEWS FROM THE WEEKEND
Record the experience while it is fresh.
Food, coffee, and hotel reviews use the same five-star system. Costs can be sent directly to the budget.
A LITTLE LIGHT BETWEEN THE HONORS
Moments of Joy Photo Quest
The weekend can hold remembrance and happiness at the same time. Capture laughter, friendship, good food, small victories, and the moments that help everyone breathe.
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LIVE THE VALUES
Random Acts of Kindness
Notice kindness, create some of your own, and photograph it only when everyone involved is comfortable. This turns remembrance into something living.
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EVERY MILE CARRIES A NAME
The Riders Who Carry David
David was an assigned hero in 2025. Each year his rider receives new fallen heroes to honor, but David’s dog tag remains with them—so he continues riding every mile beside the heroes who follow.
“New heroes join the ride. David’s tag never leaves it.”
This page preserves the rider’s growing promise: who they honor this year, every hero they still carry, and what it means to keep David moving forward. Each profile remains separate until Cynthia and the family review it.
QR & HELPFUL LINKS
Everything important, one tap away.
OPEN THE GUIDE ON YOUR PHONE
Scan for the D.C. EMS Memorial guide.
Open your phone camera, point it at the code, and tap the link that appears.
Open the guide directly ↗ Guide address: ems.port2paradise.com
🕯️Official 2026 Weekend of HonorLive schedule, biographies, and updates
📘2026 event siteProgram and honoree biographies
🏨Your Courtyard hotelShuttle, amenities, and address
🚇WMATA mapsLive Metro planning
🇺🇸Arlington Cemetery visitor infoSecurity, hours, and accessibility
🅿️Parking & SpotHeroCompare live parking rates near the Courtyard and Hyatt
Guide status: photo-enhanced working prototype, researched July 14, 2026. Event schedules, transportation, operating hours, and prices can change; verify live links before leaving. View photo sources and publication notes.