Members of the Kosciusko Nurse Honor Guard recently held a pinning ceremony, to induct members into local chapter.
The MS Nurse Honor Guard Association consists of volunteer nurses who pay tribute to nurses who have passed away, by performing the Nightingale Tribute at their funeral or memorial service.
The service is similar to a military tribute and officially releases the nurse from their nursing duties.
The Mississippi Nurse Honor Guard was established Aug., 2019, by Connie Williams, who is an acute care nurse practitioner in Hazlehurst.
When Connie discovered there was a National Honor Guard and many chapters in other states, she wanted to begin a chapter in MS. Currently, there are six chapters, and Kosciusko is in the Central MS Chapter with 148 members and growing.
On Sept. 16, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves signed a proclamation making that day, the official MS Nurse Honor Guard Day.
Uniforms consists of the classic white dress, starched cap and the Florence Nightingale Cape.
In the Criman war, Ms. Nightingale wore the cape and she would fold one side of the cape over her shoulder, so soldiers could distinguish the nurse from others who helped care for the wounded.
Kosciusko members have also chosen to wear a black stripe on their caps for the RN’s and Grey Stripes for the LPN’s, in memory of former nurses that worked and trained with at Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital, some 40-50 years ago.
Those pinned are from left; Krista Blaylock, RN, MSN, FNP; Christie Moody, RN; Elaine Burchfield, RN; Wimpy Chambers, LPN; Gail Rawson, RN; and Janet Adkerson, RN.
Any nurse wanting more information about joining the Kosciusko Nurse Honor Guard, may contact any member of the Guard.
If you know a nurse (RN or LPN), who passes away and wish to have them honored by the Guard, family members may ask any local funeral director and they will contact the guard.

Jo
October 16, 2024 at 7:48 AMHow wonderful to see this a**ociation and nurses being honored.
Some good news! ❤️
Sylvia Nash
October 16, 2024 at 9:07 AMThis is awesome,i am a nurse ,did not know about this.Thank you ladies for your dedication,I have worked with the ladies ,before as a coworker 0r they been my boss,love you all
Kathy
October 16, 2024 at 12:47 PMThis is so awesome . It’s so nice they honor nurses who have passed away
Gail Bouldin
October 16, 2024 at 7:59 PMI love this! I want them at my funeral.
Lisa
October 17, 2024 at 1:33 AMCongrats to all