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James O. Page/JEMS Award for Special Lifetime Achievement

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What inspires you?

So this job is tough in so many ways, at so many levels. What inspires you to get out of bed and put your shiny boots on? This story from the EMS Today conference in Washington D.C. touched my heart and inspires me; it is the story of the Special Lifetime Achievement Award.

A Special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ben Jones of the Shelter Island (N.Y.) Ambulance Corps by the James O. Page Charitable Foundation and JEMS. Presenter Jeff Lucia noted that the 90-year-old Jones entered EMS at age 60, after successfully running a major insurance company, and remains dedicated to the profession to this day. "Ben Jones didn't have to get into EMS," Lucia said, "He could have retired very comfortably. But he wanted to make a difference, a real difference, in people's lives."

At the conference they said, "When you work with Ben you stand a little taller and speak a little nicer." Ben is not a large person, I'm estimating about 5'7" and 130 lbs, but what a big heart. And another note, Ben shared that he and his wife have been married 60 years. Congratulations Ben!