Nurses are known for helping their patients during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. But one nurse in Tacoma is taking that commitment to heart by creating a new tradition to honor veterans who pass away at his hospital.
Daniel Keene, a U.S. army veteran who served as a combat medic from 2000 to 2012, is known for his service mentality at Tacoma General Hospital.
Keene created a nonprofit called The Valhalla Flag Project in 2020 based out of Tacoma, to supply flags to hospitals around the region so health care workers have the chance to honor veterans who pass away with an “Honor Walk,” which is also known as a “Final Salute.”
He has been working at Tacoma General Hospital for nearly six years.
“When I saw that it wasn’t happening, when I saw there was a need, I decided to try to make sure that need was fulfilled,” said Keene.
For every veteran who passes away, Keene would drape the American flag over their body. Hospital workers would line up along the hospital hallway to show their respect to the veteran and all of the sacrifices they had made for our country.