On Saturday, June 2, a Community Celebration Honoring the Life of Harvey L. Hall was held at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California.

In advance of the ceremony, a procession of ambulances and public safety vehicles wound their way through downtown Bakersfield to honor Mr. Hall, who is considered a pioneer of modern EMS in California.  The honorary procession ended in front of the arena where an oversized American Flag was proudly displayed between a Bakersfield Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department ladder trucks.

Just prior to the 10 a.m. start, uniformed Hall Ambulance personnel entered the Arena from the foyer walking in unison before taking their seats on the floor.

The Bakersfield Police Department and Bakersfield Fire Department Joint Honor Guard presented colors, followed by the National Anthem sung by Officer Robert Rodriguez with the California Highway Patrol.

Pastor John M. Scoggins, Jr. delivered the invocation.  Jim Camp read a letter from Monsignor Craig Harrison, who was out of the country, but had delivered a mass in Mr. Hall’s name at the Vatican.

Master of Ceremonies Corey Costelloe, the former voice of the CSUB Roadrunners set the stage that this was not a funeral but a celebration honoring a community leader who left an indelible mark on our city.

Our greatest appreciation to Gene Tackett, Dr. Horace Mitchell, Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin, and John Surface for taking the stage after short video montages to personalize a different aspect of the man’s life who was known as Mr. Hall, Mayor Hall, and Doctor Hall.

Alas, Amy Hall, Mr. Hall’s daughter, provided an emotionally powerful reflection of the many positive ways her father influenced her life and the special times that they shared.

In tradition, a final call was broadcast over Hall Ambulance’s radio communications system and simulcast in the Rabobank Arena, by Emergency Medical Dispatcher Nedra Thompson, logging “Lincoln 1” off for a final time.  A lone bugle player performed Taps, followed by Amazing Grace performed by bag pipers.

Rev. Ralph Anthony with St. Peter Restoration Community Christian Ministries delivered the Benediction.

The entire event was broadcast live on the local CW affiliate, and on KERO, and KBAK.  KGET replayed the ceremony that evening.

To allow for the maximum number of Hall Ambulance employees to attend, our fellow ambulance service partners from across California responded from as far north as Sacramento to provide coverage on the streets of Bakersfield during the service.  Look for a complete recap in the next edition of the HallMark, detailing each of the ambulance companies who assisted and the logistics involved in ensuring continuity of the 9-1-1 system.