Nurse Corps celebrates
102 years of service

Capt. Tricia B. Evans, RN
WBAMC Emergency Department

"Hear my prayer in silence before Thee as I ask for courage each dayÉHelp me to offer hope and cheer in the hearts of men and my countryÉInstill in me the understanding and compassion of those who led the wayÉ."

Excerpt from Prayer of an Army Nurse (1956) by Maj. (U.S. Army ret.) Mildred I. Clark, RN.

As we celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps on Feb. 2, we reflect on the past service to our nation and it' service members. We reflect on the battles won and lost, the lives, we've touched and the lives that have touched us. We honor the ANC members who gave their lives along with their fellow soldiers en route to France in 1917, on air evacuation missions in World War II, in 1944 at Anzio, in 1945 when a Japanese plane crashed on a hospital ship during the Vietnam conflict and Operation Desert Storm/Shield.

We look back on accomplishments and contributions to nursing practice. We are proud of the nurses who served during World War II, achieving a less than a four percent death rate of soldiers under their care in hospitals or during transport. We take pride in the nurses today who serve in nearly every country the U. S. military serves. Army nurses not only provide care during times of war but also in times of peace, providing global humanitarian assistance to those in need.

The ANC is a pioneer in nursing care in mobile hospitals, developing recovery rooms for postoperative patients, trauma services, transporting patients via aerial evacuation, and helping gain women's equality in the armed forces. We look back on our growth that began from 37 ANC members to thousands today providing nearly every nursing specialty to our patients around the world. All ANC members today have a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing, a factor some of our civilian counterparts do not have.

Today ANC officers serve in positions from the patient's bedside to commanding medical centers. We look forward to continue being the leaders in the practice of nursing. We are grateful for the efforts of the entire health care team without whom military health care would not succeed.

Dane Brown, a veteran who received care from a nurse during the Vietnam conflict, stated, "IÉremember the nurse's kindness and compassion and professionalism all blended together like a fine-tuned instrument." To all our fellow service members, we are proud and honored to serve you. We hope our efforts and service to you can only be as great as those you show us everyday with your commitment to your country and the beliefs we all share.

Thanks to all the men and women of the Army Nurse Corps here at Beaumont and Fort Bliss. Your commitment and selfless service for your fellow service members, their families, and this community are an outstanding example of the tradition of ANC excellence.

Happy Anniversary!