About Us.
We are nurses honoring nurses. A volunteer organization built on gratitude, tradition, and the belief that a life spent caring for others deserves to be remembered with dignity and grace.
Why we exist, and where we are going.
Our Mission
To honor the lives, service, and legacy of nurses through ceremonial tributes that recognize their dedication to caring for others.
Our Vision
To ensure every nurse receives recognition and gratitude for a lifetime of service — so that no nurse's final shift ends in silence.
The history of Nurse Honor Guards.
The Nurse Honor Guard movement began in the early 2000s as a way to recognize the lifelong dedication and service of nurses at the end of life. Inspired by the traditions of military honors, nurses across the country sought to create a meaningful tribute that would honor their colleagues for their compassion, sacrifice, and commitment to caring for others. The first Nurse Honor Guards were established by volunteer nurses who believed that those who devoted their lives to serving patients deserved a special recognition at the time of their passing. Today, Nurse Honor Guard chapters can be found throughout the United States, each carrying forward the traditions of the Nightingale Tribute, the Final Call to Service, and the ceremonial presentation of the nursing lamp. These ceremonies symbolize a nurse's final shift completed and their legacy of compassion, service, and healing. Through the lighting of the Nightingale lamp, the recitation of the Nightingale Tribute, and the presentation of a white rose, Nurse Honor Guards honor the extraordinary contributions nurses make to their patients, families, and communities. The San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard proudly continues this tradition by providing complimentary tributes that ensure every nurse's lifetime of service is remembered, honored, and celebrated.
The first Nurse Honor Guards were established by volunteer nurses who believed that those who devoted their lives to serving patients deserved a special recognition at the time of their passing. Today, Nurse Honor Guard chapters can be found throughout the United States, each carrying forward the traditions of the Nightingale Tribute, the Final Call to Service, and the ceremonial presentation of the nursing lamp. These ceremonies symbolize a nurse's final shift completed and their legacy of compassion, service, and healing. Through the lighting of the Nightingale lamp, the recitation of the Nightingale Tribute, and the presentation of a white rose, Nurse Honor Guards honor the extraordinary contributions nurses make to their patients, families, and communities. The San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard proudly continues this tradition by providing complimentary tributes that ensure every nurse's lifetime of service is remembered, honored, and celebrated.
The San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard proudly continues this tradition by providing complimentary tributes that ensure every nurse's lifetime of service is remembered, honored, and celebrated.
The significance of the Nightingale lamp.
Florence Nightingale — the founder of modern nursing — carried a lamp through the military hospital wards at Scutari during the Crimean War. By its light, she tended to wounded soldiers through the night, earning her the name "The Lady with the Lamp."
That lamp became the enduring symbol of nursing: a beacon of hope in darkness, a steady flame of compassion, a reminder that someone is always watching over the sick and suffering. It is lit at the beginning of the nurse’s career and extinguished at the end of that career. When we light the Lamp of Knowledge at a tribute, we are not merely honoring one nurse — we are honoring the entire lineage of caregivers who have carried that light forward.
The lamp we light is theirs. The light it casts is ours.
The Final Call to Service.
The most solemn moment of every tribute is the Final Roll Call. The nurse's name is called three times. With each unanswered call, we mark the close of their final shift — the end of a career measured not in years, but in lives touched, hands held, and hearts comforted.
It is a moment of profound silence and profound love. Family members often say it is the first time they truly understood the magnitude of what their loved one gave to the world. For the Guard, it is our highest honor — the chance to say, one last time, "You were seen. You were valued. You mattered."
Honor a nurse while they can hear it.
A special ceremony presented to a nurse who is facing a terminal illness, receiving hospice care, or nearing the end of life. It provides an opportunity to honor the nurse's years of dedication, compassion, and service while they are still able to hear the words of gratitude and experience the recognition they so richly deserve.
In addition to end-of-life recognition, Living and Legacy Tributes may also be presented to celebrate significant career milestones, such as retirement, decades of service, or other meaningful achievements in a nurse's professional journey.
During the ceremony, members of the Nurse Honor Guard present the Nightingale Tribute, offer a white rose, and recognize the nurse's lifelong commitment to caring for others. These meaningful moments allow nurses, their families, friends, and colleagues to celebrate a remarkable career and enduring legacy.
Whether honoring a nurse at the end of life or celebrating a milestone of service, these tributes are provided with dignity, compassion, and respect, creating lasting memories for the honored nurse and those who have shared in their journey.
"No one should have to wait until they are gone to hear they mattered."
Our volunteer-driven mission.
Every member of the San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard is a volunteer. We are active nurses, retired nurses, and nursing students who believe that honoring our colleagues is not a job — it is a calling.
We serve at funerals, memorials, and graveside ceremonies across the county, often traveling long distances at short notice. We serve together, support one another, and share the profound privilege of standing for a fellow nurse one last time.
There are no salaries, no overhead, and no cost to the families we serve. Every dollar donated goes directly into the ceremonies that honor our nurses. Every hour volunteered is a gift of gratitude from one caregiver to another.
Meet Our Leadership.
The Guard is guided by nurses who have dedicated their careers to the profession — and now dedicate their time to honoring those who followed.
Jessamie Garvin, BSN, RN, PHN, RNC-OB
Jessamie Garvin, BSN, RN, PHN, is the Founder and Chapter Lead Director of the San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard. A dedicated nurse, educator, and advocate, she established the organization with the belief that every nurse deserves to be honored and remembered for a lifetime of compassionate service. With more than 13 years of nursing experience in Maternal Child Health and high-risk Labor and Delivery, Jessamie has devoted her career to caring for women, infants, and families during some of life's most meaningful moments. She has also served as a Clinical Nurse Educator, mentoring nurses and supporting professional development within healthcare organizations. Inspired by the values of compassion, service, and professional legacy, instilled in her by her mother and fellow nurse, Linda Ruggio, Jessamie founded the San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard to ensure that nurses receive the same dignity and recognition in death that they provided to others throughout their careers. Under her leadership, the organization provides meaningful tributes that honor the dedication, sacrifice, and lifelong contributions of nurses throughout the Inland Empire. Jessamie remains passionate about preserving the traditions of nursing, supporting fellow nurses and their families, and ensuring that every nurse's final call to service is honored and remembered with gratitude.
Linda Ruggio, MSN, RN, PHN
Linda Ruggio, MSN, RN, PHN, has dedicated more than 35 years to the nursing profession, serving patients and families with compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment. She began her career specializing in Critical Care and Trauma nursing, where she developed a deep appreciation for the resilience of patients and the vital role nurses play during life's most challenging moments. Throughout her distinguished career, Linda advanced into nursing leadership roles, where she served as a respected nurse executive and leader in clinical operations, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and patient care services. Her commitment to excellence, mentorship, and compassionate leadership has left a lasting impact on the healthcare organizations and professionals she has served. As a member of a multigenerational nursing family, Linda's passion for nursing helped inspire her daughter, Jessamie Garvin, to pursue a career in nursing, continuing a family legacy of service, compassion, and dedication to others. Together, they share a deep commitment to preserving the traditions and values of the nursing profession. Linda brings wisdom, experience, and heartfelt compassion to the San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard. She is honored to help recognize fellow nurses for their years of service and to support families during life's most meaningful and difficult moments, ensuring that every nurse's legacy is remembered with dignity, gratitude, and respect.
Our Values.
Every nurse — regardless of title, tenure, or specialty — is honored with the same reverence they showed to every patient.
From Florence Nightingale to today, we carry forward the symbols and ceremonies that have made nursing a sacred calling.
We ask for nothing in return. Every tribute is a gift, offered freely to the families who gave us their loved ones' best years.
We arrive quietly, stand faithfully, and leave gently. Our presence is a comfort, never a burden, during a family's most difficult hour.
We are nurses honoring nurses — a circle of gratitude that strengthens our profession and reminds us all why we chose this work.
A nurse's impact outlives their final shift. We ensure that impact is recognized, remembered, and passed to those who follow.
Our Service Area.
From the San Bernardino Valley to the High Desert, from mountain communities to the far eastern reaches of the county, the Honor Guard travels wherever a nurse's family calls us.
We do not turn away a family based on distance. If a nurse served our community, we will do everything in our power to stand beside them.
Community Partnerships.
Together, We Honor Those Who Served Others
"The San Bernardino County Nurse Honor Guard is honored to partner with healthcare organizations, hospices, funeral homes, senior living communities, educational institutions, veterans organizations, and community groups who share our mission of honoring the lives and legacies of nurses."
Funeral Homes
Coordinating tributes within memorial services so families experience a seamless, dignified farewell.
Hospices
Walking alongside hospice teams to honor nurses at end-of-life with grace and gratitude.
Hospitals & Healthcare Organizations
Recognizing nurses whose careers shaped patient care across the Inland Empire's medical centers.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Standing with long-term care communities to honor nurses who devoted years to vulnerable residents.
Nursing Schools
Inspiring the next generation by sharing the traditions, symbols, and legacy of the profession.
Community Organizations
Partnering with civic and faith-based groups to extend our reach to every family who needs us.
Veterans & Service Organizations
Honoring nurses who also served in uniform, weaving military and nursing tributes together.
Become a Community Partner.
We believe that honoring nurses is a community effort. We welcome partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to compassion, service, and the preservation of the legacy of nursing. Whether through referrals, education, volunteerism, sponsorship, or community outreach, we invite you to join us in this meaningful mission. Share a few details about your organization and how you'd like to work alongside the Honor Guard. A member of our leadership team will be in touch.
Please email us directly with a few details about your organization and how you'd like to partner. A member of our leadership team will respond personally.
Email Partnership InquiryOur Community Partners.
We are deeply grateful to the organizations that stand with us in honoring the nurses of San Bernardino County.
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"Together, we preserve nursing legacies, support families, and strengthen our community."
Frequently Asked Questions.
Every nurse who ever held a hand, wiped a tear, or stood with a family in their darkest hour deserves to be honored. We are here to make sure they are.