Since losing her husband, Russ, in 2013 after an air medical accident, Mel has been a fierce advocate for the EMS and Families of the Fallen communities fighting for other surviving families and supporting anyone impacted by a LODD in EMS, fire, or air medical. When Isaac Greenlaw was lost in 2018, Mel flew to Maine to support the Muddy Angels through their grief and the days surrounding his funeral.
Mel has worked tirelessly as a family liaison for the National EMS Memorial Service since 2014, providing grief support, contributing to children’s activities, and helping guide families through the Weekend of Honor. She once stayed with Isaac for several hours after the dog tag exchange because his honoree’s family was out sightseeing, unaware of the ceremony with the NEMSMBR. Isaac refused to leave his family’s sign unattended until he presented them with their tags, so Mel stayed with him until they returned.
Mel was an angel to everyone she met and supported, despite her own loss. Up until the time of her untimely death, Mel was still helping widows fight to have the tail numbers of their deceased’s helicopters retired to prevent additional pain and grief for those families.
