Nurse Honor Guard Honor Memories of Colleagues

As a retired nurse, a newspaper article entitled, “Once a Nurse Always a Nurse”, caught my attention. This is how I came to become involved with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Nurse Honor Guard, a local chapter of the national organization. Approximately 17 nurses comprise the Front Royal-based group that meets every other month.

Their mission is honoring nurses with a special ceremony at a funeral, wake or graveside. Northern Shenandoah Nurse Honor Guard will travel to attend services in a 60 
mile radius. 

Any nurse’s family can request a Nurse Honor Guard service. The group discusses with family details of the nurse’s career, which are incorporated into the ceremony. Special poems and nurse related passages are read. Unique to the nursing profession is the Nightingale Lamp, which is used in a special final tribute. 

Northern Shenandoah Valley Nurse Honor Guard members attend the ceremony in white uniform, cap, and cape — the traditional nurse attire. Services are free of charge but donations are accepted which are applied to service materials.

Northern Shenandoah Valley Nurse Honor Guard welcomes new members to join our Facebook group. For information and to contact for joining, please 
contact: NSVNHG@gmail.com.

— by Cynthia Moore