The third Thursday in May of each year is designated Volunteer Emergency Responder Appreciation Day in Illinois. Volunteer firefighters, rescue squads, divers, emergency medical technicians, and response teams sacrifice their time and lives for their communities with little or no compensation. Volunteer Emergency Responder Appreciation Day shall be observed throughout the State by the citizens of Illinois with civic remembrances of the sacrifices made on their behalf by the volunteer emergency responders of Illinois, especially the ultimate sacrifice given by those individuals who have lost their lives in the line of duty.