Nursing is more than a job, it’s a calling. The profession is an art and a way of life that is different from any other.

A new local chapter of the Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard has been formed to pay tribute to those who’ve spent their lives caring for others.

“It’s our mission to provide recognition and dignity to fellow nurses,” co-coordinator Lauri Oberdorfer said.

The Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard pays tribute to nurses not only during their career but at the end of their life’s journey by conducting a solemn, meaningful funeral service at family members’ request.

UPPER PENINSULA NURSES Honor Guard co-coordinators Lauri Oberdorfer and Linda Opsahl review a dedication service. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The U.P. Nurses Honor Guard was established in 2019 by Escanaba nurse Barb VanRooy, who also established the Veterans Honor Flight in Escanaba.

The idea of a Nurses Honor Guard was started by the Kansas State Nurses Association and a group of hospital nurses in Detroit in 2003. The initial concept gradually developed into the creation of a National Nurses Honor Guard Coalition founded by Julia Murray in Michigan in 2011. There are now Nurses Honor Guard chapters across the United States.

Oberdorfer explained she felt compelled to form the chapter after a local nurse passed away. “An area retired nurse that belonged to the Escanaba group called the family and asked if they were familiar with the honor guard and offered their services,” she said.

Oberdorfer said everyone who attended the service wound up talking about the honor guard.

After a couple weeks of contemplating about taking on the task, she reached out to another retired nurse, Linda Opsahl, who offered her assistance.

“I felt it in my heart to do it here,” Oberdorfer said.

It took about a month and a half to get the local group going, she said. “That’s all I have done during this time,” she said. “But, I’m so happy with the response — we have so many caring nurses here.”

The Honor Guard funeral tribute, which lasts approximately five minutes, is offered at no cost.

Each guard is dressed in the traditional white nurse’s uniform and cap, blue and red cape, and carries a Florence Nightingale lamp.

The lamp commemorates Nightingale, who cared for injured British soldiers during the Crimean War, as she used it to light her way.

The lamp illustrates the light that a nurse becomes to her patients — a symbol of hope and comfort, co-coordinator Opsahl said.

Nightingale, also known as “the lady with the lamp,” is recognized as the founder of modern nursing. Born May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy to a wealthy English family, she received a quality education and opted for a career rather than the traditional domestic life. She pioneered the format training for nurses, modern administrative roles with her research and statistics to improve health care in hospitals and on the battlefield.

“Nightingale was committed to helping humanity,” Opsahl said. “She demonstrated the qualities of the ideal nurse — goal-driven, brilliant, creative, scientific, compassionate, caring, visionary and heroic.”

Volunteers during the honor ceremony will recite the Nightingale Tribute and place a white rose on the casket or next to the urn, symbolizing their dedication to the profession of nursing.

The deceased nurse is then called to duty one last time by the ringing of chimes, and honorably released from her earthly nursing duties, which her colleagues vow to continue in their honor.

The lamp flame is extinguished and presented to the family as a keepsake and remembrance, Oberdorfer said.

Opsahl noted how powerful and moving the service is for the nurse volunteers.

“The ceremonies are amazing,” Oberdorfer added.

“As nurses, we are born healers; this is how we help heal families, but it also heals the nurses,” Opsahl said. “It brings dignity and respect to our profession; when you wear that uniform, an overwhelming feeling of pride comes over you — it helps families, but it helps us nurses, too.”

Oberdorfer noted that nurses make many selfless sacrifices while they are away from their own families. “This ceremony is a way to acknowledge their commitment and our way of saying ‘thank you,'” she said.

“The most meaningful part is being able to show respect and appreciation for someone who has dedicated their life toward serving others,” nurse Hilda Vivio added. “The job doesn’t just stop at the end of your shift. Our mission is to make sure no nurse goes unrecognized for their lifelong selfless service.”

The dedication service is offered to any licensed nurse who has passed away.

The recognition can be performed at the grave site. If requested by family, up to eight nurses will also serve as pallbearers for the honoree.

Area funeral homes will offer the services of the Upper Peninsula Nurse Honor Guard at the time of arrangements are made.

“The nurses honor guard performs a well-deserved tribute, which is a beautiful addition to a traditional funeral or memorial service for a nurse,” said Matt Nash of Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. “The families we serve truly appreciate the efforts of this wonderful group of women.”

Members will also travel the U.P. to assist other groups if they are short on guards to honor fellow nurses, Oberdorfer said.

In addition to dedication services, the volunteers plan to take part in several upcoming events in the area.

Any active, licensed or retired nurse interested in joining the local chapter can call 906-282-9180.

The Upper Peninsula Nurse Honor Guard is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of volunteer nurses whose mission is to recognize and honor the everyday heroes who dedicated their lives to the nursing profession.