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On the 13th of September, the Military Order of the PurpleHeart (MOPH) paid homage to military nurses in a ceremony conducted near theNurses' Monument in Section 21 of Arlington National Cemetery. This is anannual event held the second Friday of September. The first service, held on the 14th of September 1990 inDearborn, Michigan, met great success. Consequently,in 1991, the memorial service and wreath laying became a nationally recognizedceremony conducted at Arlington Cemetery, Washington, DC.
MOPH Ceremony, September 13, 2002
Around 90 people attended the ceremony this year. Representatives from the Army, Air Force and Navy Nurse Corps attended. The Army Nurse Corps was well represented with two retired Army NurseCorps Chiefs, BG (RET) Anna Mae Hays and BG (RET) Connie Slewitzke inattendance. Additionally, MAJ (RET) Nelly Aleman-Guzman, who received the PurpleHeart award in 1994 for her actions during a rebel attack in El Salvador in1989, also attended. A number ofretired and active Army Nurse Corps Officers were also in attendance. COL SharonFeeney-Jones represented BG Bester as the senior Army Nurse Corps Officer. COLFeeney-Jones provided fitting remarks regarding the Army Nurse Corpsappreciation for the recognition of its efforts by the Military Order of thePurple Heart.
The ceremony provided a touching tribute to all military nurses. The formal portion of the ceremony included the presentation of colors,an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, comments from the Military Order ofPurple Heart National Commander, comments from representatives of Army, AirForce and Navy Corps, placing of the wreath, and the playing of the Taps. Following the ceremony, the attendees enjoyed a reception held at theCrystal City Hilton in Arlington, VA. Sentimentand story telling filled the exchange between attendees, both nurses and MOPHmembers. Without a doubt, themembers of this honored organization hold a tender spot in their hearts for thenurses who have helped to heal their wounds.
Historical Data located at the Army Nurse Corps Collection,United States Army, Office of Medical History, Office of the Surgeon General,Falls Church, VA
