Naval Hospital Bremerton Navy Nurses visit Navy Nurse Veterans

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class James Evans Coyle, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) Nurse Corps officers visited the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil on May 8 as part of their week-long commemoration of the Navy Nurse Corps 106th birthday.

The nurses met and mingled with retired Navy nurses, took a tour of the facility and presented the veterans with bouquets of flowers. The majority of the time was spent sharing and reminiscing with the veterans about life in the United States Navy over the years.

Veterans home resident Tom Barry, who was an active duty Navy Nurse from 1976 to 1994 said he likes talking to younger Navy personnel and share his many sea stories.

"I had a very rewarding career in the Navy. I think being stationed at Subic Bay, (Republic of the) Philippines was my favorite tour but Naval Hospital Portsmouth Va., and former Naval Air Station Moffett Field in Mountain View, Calif., were also great. Everyone here has had so many things happen in their lives and for whatever reason, ended up here. I'm grateful to be here after I had a stroke and the options were getting more and more limited on what I was going to do. Everyone here is exceptionally well taken care of and it's a pretty nice place to live. It's extra special anytime we have visitors but especially when it is Navy Nurse Corps people," said Barry.

NHB Navy Nurse Corps President and coordinator of the visit Lt. Rachel Allnutt of the Multi-Service Ward said she looks forward to the interaction and re-connecting with people at the home.

"We come here every Christmas season and during Navy Nurse Week to be with the nurses who have served before us. It's amazing all the sacrifice and commitment these people have given to our country. The visit gives us a special chance to get together a talk about all the places we've been and provide friendship that makes for a distinctive bond which we'll always have together," said Allnutt.

Washington Veterans Home recreation specialist and events coordinator Gary Earl said some of the residents of the home may have lost some physical abilities due to age and various medical conditions but states that their memory of what life was like in the Navy years ago remains vivid. The semi-annual visit from NHB nurses acts like a portal through the past and they can reflect back.

"The residents here should feel important and be recognized for who they are. The NHB nurses visit is a wonderful opportunity to help someone realize that they are very much admired by others who are now living a life similar to what they once lived," said Earl.

Navy Nurse Lt. j.g. Amy Bene of Pediatric Clinic said being part of the Navy Nurse Corps means reaching out to former nurses and showing support for who they are and what they have achieved.

"It was excellent to come here and be a part of their day. The Navy Nurse Corps veterans are a huge part of our community and being here, talking and listening, lets them know that we truly care about them," said Bene.

There are approximately 165 active duty and civilian nurses assigned to NHB along with six American Red Cross nurse volunteers, out of the Navy's active and reserve Nurse Corps components that total more than 4,000 members.

NHB nurses continue their pivotal roles in providing quality health care at home and abroad. Nurse Corps staff members are preparing to participate in Pacific Partnership 2014 humanitarian assistance mission, as well as supporting Operation Enduring Freedom down range in Afghanistan.

The Navy Nurse Corps birthday also coincides with National Nurses Week, annually recognized and celebrated May 6 to May 12 commemorating the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the founder of modern nursing.

On May 13, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Naval Appropriations Bill that authorized the establishment of the Nurse Corps as a unique staff corps of the Navy.

As was the case 106 years ago, NHB's Nurse Corps continues to provide care and support to those in need, especially those who came before them and reside at Washington Veterans Home in Retsil.