Pennsylvania nurses honor fallen colleagues with special services

(WTAJ) — In 2019, after scrolling on social media, Cindy Bowman had an idea to create the Central PA Nurses Honor Guard.

“It’s very similar to how the military, firemen and police honor their people,” Bowman, Founder and president of the group, said. “We just thought nurses are deserving of it too.”

The group is dedicated to honoring nurses who have gone before them. It started with just five members and it has now grown to almost 50.

“I get very emotional about it because it’s a wonderful way to honor nurses who have given their life to serve others, to help others, to do what they could do,” Donna Detwiler, a member of the Central PA Nurses Honor Guard, explained.

The goal is to honor their colleague’s courage, devotion and kindness that they put forward every day. They also look to help families begin to heal.

Ray Nedimyer’s wife, Jackie, was a registered nurse for more than 30 years.

“Some of the nurses referred to her as that little dynamo that runs everywhere,” Nedimyer expressed.

Jackie always wanted to join the Central PA Nurses Honor Guard, but a cancer diagnosis put a stop to those plans.

A group of nurses from the honor guard, along with loved ones, decided to gather around Jackie’s bedside for a living tribute. They thanked her for her years of caring for others and made her an honorary member.

“Everybody was pretty well stunned with how professional it was done, how caring they were and how well they honored Jackie,” Nedimyer said.

To date, the nurses have done almost 70 services for their fallen colleagues.

Wanda Shaffer is one of the original five members.

“It has just been an honor to give them a little respect and let everyone know that they were respected by other nurses,” Shaffer said. “It is a hard career at times.”

A ceremony consists of several different things. They march up the aisle and start with an introduction. This allows everyone to learn a little background information about the person they are honoring.

They then do the Nightingale Tribute and present a white rose to the person. It is put on either their casket or by the urn.

This all leads up to the final call, where the group rings their bell and calls the nurse’s name three times to release them from their service.

The group also presents the nightingale lamp to a family member at the end of the service.

Even if the nurses never worked with one another, they still feel connected.

“We’ve all been there,” Shaffer explained. “We’ve all worked those hard hours, loved people, saved people. It’s one of those things that is something that makes you feel good.”

During a time of grieving, they offer strength. They give comfort to families and appreciation for our fallen nurses.

“It just makes us feel so good inside and proud,” Bowman said. “Proud to be nurses.”

The Central PA Nurses Honor Guard is always looking for more people to join. If you would like to be part of the group you can reach out on Facebook or contact Cindy Bowman at 814-207-3310.

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