Visitors invited to remember Emergency Services personnel at the National Memorial Arboretum on 999 Day

The Fire and Rescue Services Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum honours past and present personnel who have served or lost their lives in the line of duty

On Wednesday, 9 September, visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, will be invited to remember the service and sacrifice of Emergency Services personnel as the site marks 999 Day.

Ahead of the Arboretum’s daily Act of Remembrance in the Millennium Chapel at 11am, where people will be asked to remember all who have served in the Emergency Services, wreaths will be laid at the Ambulance Services, Fire and Rescue Services and UK Police Memorials to commemorate the service and sacrifices of those who have and continue to serve in the Emergency Services.

A special 75-minute Emergency Services guided walk, costing £5 per person, will also be available at 1pm from 5 to 13 September. Led by an expert volunteer guide, visitors will discover some of the inspirational stories of service and sacrifice reflected in sculptures dedicated to the Emergency Services and live saving first-response organisations including Fire and Rescue Services, RNLI, The Beat, St John’s Ambulance and the UK Police Memorial.

The Twin Towers Memorial, which pays tribute to those who died as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre twenty-five years ago, will also feature on the walk. The piece, originally sponsored by the communities of Hereford and Worcestershire and the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, recognises the courage and dedication of New York’s emergency personnel. Guided walks can be booked ahead of a visit.

The UK Police Memorial honours the courage and sacrifice of those who have given their lives to UK policing

Visitors to the UK Police Memorial will also be able to hear a collection of original poems reflecting on the lives, service and legacy of those commemorated there. Created by local students working with The Police Arboretum Memorial Trust and Arboretum Poet-in-Residence Arji Manuelpillai, the poems were created to mark the fifth anniversary of the UK Police Memorial’s dedication and offer a personal perspective on Remembrance, courage and sacrifice through young eyes.

“Every day, members of the Emergency Services demonstrate dedication, courage and professionalism in often challenging circumstances while serving their communities,” said Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion. “As the Nation’s year-round place to remember, we are home to memorials that honour the service and sacrifice of police officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel, lifeboat crews and many others who dedicate their lives to protecting others. Behind every memorial is a story of selfless service and unwavering dedication. 999 Day provides an important opportunity to recognise that service and to remember those who have and continue to serve our country.”

Established in 2017, 999 Day is a national day of commemoration recognising the ongoing contribution of the Emergency Services and remembers those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

To book a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum in advance and save on parking, visit: thenma.org.uk.