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)

IRON MT. — Three members of the Dickinson-Iron Counties Nurses Honor Guard joined fellow honor guards from across Michigan and Delaware at Arlington National Cemetery recently 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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.”

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.”