Who We Are
The Nurses Honor Guard pays tribute to nurses at the time of their death by performing the Nightingale Tribute at the funeral or memorial service. This service is similar to a military tribute and officially releases the nurse from their nursing duties.
The Nurses Honor Guard dresses in the traditional white uniform complete with cap and cape. The ceremony is brief; it takes about 5 minutes, and consists of reciting the Nightingale Tribute and laying of a white rose on the casket or next to the urn, symbolizing the nurse’s dedication to the profession. After the Nightingale Tribute is recited, a triangle is rung after a roll call for the nurse. The nurse’s name is called three times and the triangle is rung after each call of the name. After the roll call the words are spoken that the nurse is officially released from their nursing duties. A lit Nightingale lamp is carried up at the beginning of the ceremony and is then extinguished and presented to the family with personal condolences made.
A Note From Hope
Answering the “Why?”
This is my Why:.
After the passing of my mother, who devoted 57 years of her life to nursing, I was inspired to establish Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County. Witnessing her unwavering dedication to caring for others ignited a deep passion within me to honor not only her memory but also the countless nurses who selflessly serve their communities every day. I founded this organization to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of nurses and provide support to their families during times of loss. Through Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County, I aim to ensure that these healthcare heroes receive the recognition and appreciation they truly deserve while upholding the legacy of compassion that my mother exemplified throughout her career. It boils down to a profound sense of duty and respect for those who have dedicated their lives to serving as nurses. Witnessing the tireless commitment and selfless care provided by nurses inspired me to honor and recognize these healthcare heroes. I established Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County as a way to give back to the nursing community, to show gratitude for their unwavering dedication, and to ensure that their hard work and sacrifice are acknowledged and celebrated. It is my sincere belief that our nurses deserve to be revered and remembered for all they do, and through Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County I strive to provide a platform for paying tribute to these exceptional individuals.
During a conversation at work one day, Dana brought up a post she had seen on facebook that reminded me of why I wanted to start a chapter of Nurse Honor Guard. It was a poignant moment that reignited my passion for a mission to begin,..a call to action. I felt the need to fill a void, make an impact in our community. Dana's observation served as a powerful reminder of the important work needing to be done, reinforcing my dedication to honoring our fellow nurses and their service.
After many months of planning and preparation, we have brought this dream to fruition. Every step along the way has been carefully calculated and executed, leading us to this moment of achievement. The dedication and hard work put in by all involved have finally paid off, and we can now stand proud of what we have accomplished. It is incredibly rewarding to see our vision become a reality, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on those we serve.
I hope that you will join us in this journey to honor our colleagues in a way befitting our profession.
Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County was founded in honor of Brenda Gail Walker RN. Mother of our founder Hope Walker Sandoval RN.
Brenda Walker RN was a nurse for 57 years. She graduated from Hall County School of Nursing in 1965. She was extremely active in her school. She served as class president in 1964 and 1965. That is also where she met her husband Fred Mckinley Walker III. He was the son of the Administrator of Hall County School of Nursing and Administrator of Hall County Hospital in Gainesville GA.
She started her career in Athens General Hospital. She worked in the hospital in many capacities, ED nurse, ICU nurse, Charge Nurse, and as a Director of Nursing. She went on to work in many other hospitals, Shallowford, Kennestone, Morgan Memorial, Hamilton Memorial, and several others. She went to Saudi Arabia when her oldest child was 15 to work in a Nomad Hospital for 3 months. The stories of her experiences were documented in a journal.
She was proud of her profession and lived it out in a way that encouraged her daughters, nieces, sisters and friends into the field of nursing. Her idea of a girls trip with friends and her daughters was an educational conference for the weekend. She was a constant influence in the community by encouraging health fairs, blood drives, serving on the Georgia disaster relief committee, and volunteering for the Red cross.
Her character and demeanor lived out in a way of all that nursing encompasses and represents. She was always that empathetic listener, gentle touch, encouraging teacher, problem solver, and an always available Nurse to all she came in contact with.
While she did not work actively as a nurse for the last 9 years of her life. She was still active as she could be with her former colleagues and schoolmates.
Brenda Gail Walker RN passed 7/27/2022 in the same hospital where her career began Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center formerly known as Athens General Hospital. May she rest in peace knowing all the lives she touched! We will take in from here Mrs Brenda!
Meet Our Artist:
Monica Castillo
Monica has always had a special place in her heart for art and creativity. Since her early childhood she has always loved to draw and make crafts from anything she could find. She spends a lot of her free time drawing and painting in her home studio. Most importantly she has always been a people person and has always loved to give back. She has always said she would love to be a therapist for all ages because she loves to listen and help solve problems and assist others to navigate through difficult situations. She is very family oriented and hopes to have children of her own someday. She is loved by everyone she encounters.
Fun facts about Monica:
She was a competition cheerleader
She was a pageant winner (twice)
She participated in Girl Scouts of America
She volunteered to feed the homeless in Clayton County She is one of four children.
She is an animal lover and owns 2 dogs.
Launched her own business in custom apparel and more
Monica was approached by us with a very vague idea of what we wanted in the way of an emblem and cover/tribute page. She listened and brought to life our idea. She was amazingly easy to work with and very receptive to any changes that needed to be made.
Monica, Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Walton County salute you and thank you for your contribution to our cause.