Memphis nurses form honor guard to pay final respects to VA nurses who served those who served

It was an incredible moment. But what most people may not know is that this same group of nurses has also accepted the mission of honoring the distinguished careers of VA nurses as a tribute during their memorial or funeral services.

The honor guard, a group of volunteer RNs and LPNs, coordinates the Final Call of Duty ceremony with the nurse's family.  The ceremony is a meaningful way to demonstrate respect and gratitude to fellow nurses for their devotion to caring for those who served.

"It is a beautiful tribute to the nurses that have spent their entire career caring for others, said Marvia Balfour-Coleman, the president and chief  organizer of the Memphis Honor Guard.

"We want to let the community know that we are here and want to honor the service of their loved one," said Balfour-Coleman.

It's a final and fitting tribute to someone who dedicated their life to serving others. 

The ceremony can be tailored to fit into the family's plans, but most ceremonies contain a special tribute to the mother of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, such as lighting the Nightingale lamp, ringing the duty bell, and reading the nurse's name.

"The ceremony usually lasts about five to ten minutes and can be held as a memorial service, funeral service, or at the cemetery," shared Balfour-Coleman.  "We can support nearly any situation and recognize that sometimes families may want to do it after the initial bereavement period."

The flexibility of the honor guard is a hallmark of the care and compassion nurses demonstrate daily in caring for Veterans.

Memphis Honor Guard is the third federal Nurses Honor Guard established in the Veterans Health Administration, joining Hampton VA Medical Center in Hampton, VA, and Aleda E. Lutz VA in Saginaw, Michigan.

Our hope is that every nurse will participate in the honor guard and that every VA medical center will establish a guard.  

"We are the largest integrated healthcare system in the nation with more than 170 medical centers. Our nurses are invaluable members of the organization, serving on the front lines and in every area of the healthcare organization. I am proud to have the Memphis team lead the way in establishing the Nurse Honor Guard in VISN 9.  It really shows how much each VA nurse is appreciated and camaraderie among the nurses,” said Gregory Goins, Network Director, VA MidSouth Healthcare Network.   

The Memphis VAMC honor guard stands ready to assist any nurse's family that would like to hold a ceremony to honor their loved one and has plans for a special commemorative ceremony next May during National Nurses Month.

 “The compassion and dedication of our nurses never ceases to amaze me, and our Nurse Honor Guard takes that to a whole new level.  They represent their commitment to providing the best care to our Veterans and their community.” Joseph Vaughn, executive director, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center said.

At the end of the day, the Memphis Nurse Honor Guard nurses just want everyone to know they are here to serve, and they care deeply about upholding the excellence of their profession, providing exceptional care to veterans, and honoring each other.  It’s in their nursing DNA.

Any nurse at Memphis VA who would like to participate in the Nurses Honor Guard can contact the Nurse Honor Guard Chair at VHAMEMNurseHonorGuard@va.gov.

 To learn more about establishing a federal Nurses Honor Guard at a VA Medical Center, contact VHAHAMNurseHonorGuard@va.gov.