Three Dickinson-Iron Counties Nurses Honor Guard members — from left, Pam Maule of Iron Mountain, Lauri Oberdorfer of Kingsford and Linda Opsahl of Spread Eagle, Wis. — joined dozens of other honor guard members from Michigan and Delaware earlier this spring to take part in a special ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The three local retired nurses show the wreath that was presented at the Nurses Memorial. (Contributed photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Three members of the Dickinson-Iron Counties Nurses Honor Guard joined fellow honor guards from across Michigan and Delaware this spring at Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to military nurses and fallen service members.

Local retired nurse members Lauri Oberdorfer, Linda Opsahl and Pam Maule traveled to Washington, D.C., after being invited by the Muskegon Area Nurse Honor Guard to participate in two special tribute ceremonies.

About 60 nurses dressed in traditional white uniforms and honor guard capes gathered at the Nurses Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 21, known as the “Nurses Section,” where 653 military nurses are buried.

“It was such an honor to represent nurses in Michigan,” Oberdorfer said. “Everywhere we went, people would ask where we were from and what we were representing.”

Oberdorfer said the group was the first Nurses Honor Guard to conduct a presentation at the site, as ceremonies are not routinely held there.

About 60 nurses honor guard members dressed in traditional white uniforms and capes are shown at the Nurses Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 21, known as the “Nurses Section,” where 653 military nurses are buried. Veteran nurses presented the wreath during the ceremony earlier this spring. (Contributed photo)

“As part of the program, veteran nurses from the group presented a wreath in honor all branches of military nurses who are laid to rest there,” she said.

The 11-foot-tall, white Tennessee marble memorial statue of a military nurse looks out over rows of headstones. The monument was unveiled in 1938 after years of advocacy for recognition of military nurses during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration.

The Art Deco-style statue was created by Frances Rich, an artist and actress who appeared in six Hollywood movies and joined the Navy WAVES in World War II.

“Looking out on the rows and rows of white gravestones, it really brought home the sacrifice veterans have made,” Opsahl said. “Every tomb is somebody’s loved one.”

The group took part in the solemn ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in which four veterans from the group were selected to present the wreath.

Dresses in their formal honor guard uniforms, nurses are shown walking at Arlington National Cemetery in the Washington D.C. area. In front is Dickinson-Iron Counties Nurses Honor Guard member Lauri Oberdorfer. (Contributed photo)

“They didn’t know ahead of time they were going to get to do that,” Oberdorfer said. “It was pretty awesome.”

Opsahl said standing beside the tomb where generations of soldiers have been honored was particularly meaningful. “It was really something special,” she said.

The group also witnessed the Changing of the Guard, and both agreeing it was a remarkable experience.

“You could hear a pin drop during that time,” Oberdorfer said.

“It was truly amazing to witness,” Opsahl added.

Nurse veterans present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Washington D.C. area. About 60 nurses from across Michigan made the trip earlier this spring to pay tribute to the fellow nurse veterans and all fallen soldiers. (Contributed photo)

While in Washington, the nurses also visited many other memorials and monuments while the city’s famous cherry blossoms were in bloom.

One emotional moment came when veterans approached members of the group to share stories about wartime nurses who cared for them.

“One Vietnam veteran was crying while telling us how a combat nurse refused to let him give up after everyone around him had been killed,” Oberdorfer said. “He said if it wasn’t for that nurse encouraging him and telling him they were going to get him home, he didn’t think he would have made it.”

Opsahl said the experience left a lasting impact.

“It really brings home the sacrifice made, not only by those who serve but by their families as well,” she said.

The Muskegon group organized the trip, traveling by bus from Michigan while picking up nurses throughout the state. The three local nurses flew separately and met the group in Washington.

“The Muskegon Nurses Honor Guard were fantastic hosts,” Oberdorfer said. “It was so cool to see the bus full of white caps.”

She said the only “small hiccup” was the challenge to get to Arlington Cemetery during the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run event. “Our driver dropped us off right in the middle of thousands of sweaty racers,” Oberdorfer said with a laugh.

Oberdorfer and Opsahl wished everyone from the local Nurses Honor Guard could have experienced the trip. “It was such a great honor to be part of it all and just the feeling of it all,” Oberdorfer said.

“Every place you went, especially Arlington Cemetery, you had a tear in your eye because it really brought home the sacrifice that all veterans have made,” Opsahl added.

They hope to be able to participate in future national tributes in Washington, D.C. “It was a chance of a lifetime for me,” Oberdorfer said.

In addition to its funeral tributes, the Dickinson-Iron Nurses Honor Guard take part in U.P. Honor Flights and the Veterans Tribute Rides. “It’s really important for us to support the veterans,” Oberdorfer said.

“They say nursing is a calling,” Opsahl said. “It really is. It’s in your blood.”

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.