The Otsego Schoharie Delaware Nurses Honor Guard held a beautiful ceremony where the Nightengale Tribute is performed as well as the presentation of the Nightengale Lamp to the family and a white rose to the deceased. 

The Honor Guard enters typically consists of anywhere from 2 to 5 or more members. The Guard introduces themselves and their mission. The Nightingale Tribute is read in honor of the fallen colleague. A responsive reading entitled "She was there" is read (this is modified to include the nurse's name). 

The nurse is then officially released from their nursing duties which is symbolized by the reading of  "The Final Call to Duty" and the ringing of a triangle. A single white rose is placed on the casket or next to the urn thanking the nurse for their service. If the nurse is not "physically" present, the rose is given to the family. 

A replica of the Nightingale Lamo is then presented to the family and an Honor Guard thanks the members for their sacrifices as well. The ceremony concludes with a Nurse's Prayer. 

The group has performed six ceremonies since the formation of the local chapter in June of 2023. We are a part of the National Nurses Honor Guard Coalition and the local chapter services Otsego, Schoharie and Delaware County. The local chapter was initiated by a group of nurses who work within the Bassett Network, however any nurse ( RN or LPN) can join whether active , retired , etc.  regardless of where they work.