First responders lead procession to show support for medical staff

MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- St. Joseph County police and fire led a procession to local hospitals to show appreciation for medical professionals working on the front lines through the coronavirus pandemic.

“We had like well over 100 cars out here again,” Scott Ruszkowski said, South Bend Police Chief. “So that’s just a huge show of support and thank you to all of our hospital, to all of our health care workers. Not just here, but everywhere.”

Lights and sirens guided the way for local law enforcement as they set out to show appreciation to medical professional who put their lives on the line every day as they work on the front lines through the pandemic.

All St. Joseph County police and fire departments lined up at two separate locations before leading a procession to three of the Michiana area hospitals.

One group led a procession to Memorial, while the second made two stops—one at St. Joseph Regional and another at Beacon.

Each group stopped outside each hospital with a ceremony to pay their respects, leading first responders in prayer and appreciation for the medical staff, followed by a round of applause.

“Well, health care workers is kind of like policing and firefighting, the thanks are very seldom,” Ruszkowski said. ”But man, in times like this, they deal with what we deal with—the worst of the worst—and the worst case scenarios. Now compound this with a worldwide pandemic. We had to. I mean, we had to say thank you.”

Hundreds of first responders participated—who also put their lives on the line every day—to make sure the local medical staff knows that they are appreciated.