Ashley Ritter Named EMT of the Year at State VFW Convention in Lexington

Ashley Ritter, a Sweeden resident, earned the EMT of the Year Award at the 2025 VFW State Convention in Lexington.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Edmonson County's own Ashley Ritter was awarded the Kentucky State VFW EMT of the Year Award on Friday, June 13th at the Lexington Clarion Convention Center by State VFW Commander Bruce Ashley during the VFW State Convention.

EMT Ritter was nominated by County EMS Director Keith Sanders as a result of her extraordinary record of service and training, according to a press release from local VFW Post 6937.  She first won the award at the county level, then the district, which includes all surrounding counties, and finally on Friday, earning top honors all across Kentucky.

"Mrs. Ritter began her service as a teenage volunteer in her hometown ambulance service as well as in her local fire department," the VFW said in a statement. "During college, she served a summer (2015) at Mammoth Cave National Park as a Fire Fighter/EMT and moved to Edmonson County following her college graduation in 2016.  She started with the county as a part time EMT in 2016 while working in the ER at the Med Center in Bowling Green.  In August of 2019 she enrolled in the Central Kentucky Paramedic Program in Lexington through which she became a licensed paramedic in August of 2020."

Ashley also earned a Master’s Degree in Health Emergency Management focused in Disaster Medicine in 2017 from Anna Maria College.  She also serves as a firefighter with the Kyrock Volunteer Fire Department in addition to leading as Head Coach of the Edmonson County High School Girls’ Soccer Team.

In the above photo, Mrs. Ritter is joined by State VFW Commander Bruce Ashley on the left and National VFW Commander In Chief Al Lippart on the right.  On the far left is State VFW Auxiliary President Bobbie Wadedell and on the far right is Past VFW National Auxiliary President Francesca Guiliford.  At the podium is Brownsville VFW Post 6937’s Commander Edwin Vincent.

"During the presentation, Commander-in-Chief Lippart expressed his astonishment on just how accomplished EMT Ritter was and admiration that Edmonson County’s Ambulance Service produced the last three year’s award recipients, stating that they exhibit extraordinary professionalism," the VFW stated.

"The VFW is our nation’s largest organization of combat veterans, chartered by Congress to remember our fallen, take care of the survivors, and do good works in the communities.  Here in Edmonson, our Post is known for its work performing veteran burial honors, flag training in the schools, and other patriotic activities.  We meet on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 pm in the library."