May 26, 2025

"Who kept the faith and fought the fight; the glory theirs, the duty ours.”

 

—Wallace Bruce 

Dear Colleagues, 

On this Memorial Day, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to and honor the memory of men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. 

Memorial Day holds profound significance for our profession. As nurses and anesthesia professionals, we are part of a legacy of service that spans combat zones, humanitarian missions, and frontline responses to national crises. 

Our profession traces its roots to the 1860s, when nurses provided anesthesia to injured—and dying—soldiers during the Civil War. Since World War I, CRNAs have delivered the majority of anesthesia care to active-duty military personnel on the frontlines and continue to serve in veterans’ hospitals and throughout the U.S. Armed Services.  

During the Vietnam War, we lost two of our own: 1LT Jerome Olmsted and 1LT Kenneth Shoemaker Jr. Olmstead and Shoemaker were killed in a plane crash on November 30, 1967, while transporting wounded soldiers.  

As we reflect with gratitude on their sacrifice and honor all of the fallen, our deepest thanks go to all current and former military CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists, RRNAs, RNs, and APRNs for their service. 

As always, thank all of you for all that you do, and for your support of the AANA. Have a safe and happy summer. 

Sincerely, 

The AANA Board of Directors 

Questions for the AANA Board of Directors 

If you have general questions for the Board of Directors, please reach out to them at: Board-of-Directors@aana.com 

 
To avoid multiple responses, the AANA Vice President will triage these inquiries and reply on behalf of the Board.