Dana Hart was inspired to start a new chapter of the Nurse Honor Guard after attending the Emergency Nurses Association conference in San Diego last fall.

During that conference, Hart’s fellow ER nurse, Krista Seaton, passed away from breast cancer.

“We were devastated,” Hart said. “The very next day, just by coincidence, the California Nurse Honor Guard did a demonstration.”

The ER nurse said the ceremony included traditional white nursing uniforms, caps and capes. The men wear sashes. Candles are lit for the nurse who passed, and there is a written, specialized tribute to the individual.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” Hart said. “You just miss that person and love that person.”

Honoring the legacy of a loved one

When Hart returned, she hosted a similar ceremony on the Salem Hospital campus to honor Seaton’s legacy.

“It was perfect timing because we were so sad for Krista,” she said.

From there, the nurse wanted to find a way to pay tribute to nurses across the region.

The Nurse Honor Guard is a series of local chapters that perform these ceremonies. It first started in 2010.

A new chapter in Oregon

Hart partnered with Lori Phillips, a retired Salem Health nurse, to make this possible in the Salem area. This is the first chapter in Oregon.

“I think it gives closure,” said Hart. “It validates our career, like the military and the police and fire.”

The Salem Health Foundation helped design brochures and launch a reception to introduce this group to Salem nurses in July. With the help of the foundation, members of this group will not have to pay dues.

“I just think it’s really important for family and friends to have the person who passed away have their career honored. It just adds to their healing process,” Phillips said. “I think it’s good for us to honor fallen colleagues. I think it’s just a win-win.”

The future of the Honor Guard

Phillips said the ceremonies are a moving way to connect with others in their field. Both she and Hart are currently looking for nurse volunteers of all genders to perform these ceremonies across the greater Salem area.

“If we can have at least four nurses at any given service, that’s great, but there’s no limit,” said Phillips. “The more participants the better.”

Hart said the goal is a Salem chapter that will inspire more groups to form in places like Portland or Eugene.

When asked what the future of the Honor Guard will look like, Hart said she just wants to find ways to acknowledge the field of nursing.

“This really connects us to what we’ve done all of our lives,” she said.

Interested in learning more? You can email the group at salemnursehonorguard@gmail.com.