As I am writing this column we just celebrated National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 and will be celebrating Memorial Day on May 26.
By Rebecca Nidey
Everything I Need To Know I Learned In A Haunted House
These days were designated as National Days of Remembrance in honor of those who had given their lives in the line of duty. As paranormal investigators, how often have we found that many who gave the ultimate sacrifice are still fulfilling their responsibilities while in spirit?
Those days were specifically designed to honor members of the various police agencies and military. However, any profession who feels a duty to serve, protect, heal or rescue may continue their service after the death of their physical bodies.
Having worked in a hospital for 39 years, I have come in contact with many medical personnel, including the ancillary departments needed to run a building used to heal the ill, as well as the emergency personnel who transport them to and from the building. During those 39 years, I have seen many people come and go physically. However, I am also aware that some have been like Elvis and have “left the building” physically, but stayed in spirit. Although I have never seen those who still hang around to honor their duty to medicine, there have been others who work in this hospital that have spoken to me of their experiences there after learning of my work as a paranormal investigator. Some have seen phantom personnel still making their rounds while others have heard the sounds of footsteps and the quiet voices of those who linger in spirit to continue their care.
My own experiences have included the touch of ghostly personnel (or perhaps patients needing care) and sensing the arrival of nursing personnel.
Earlier this year, I was a patient in the hospital that I work at. After many years of knee problems caused by arthritis, I chose to have a complete knee replacement that included 5 days of hospitalization. It was a whole new perspective, seeing a hospital work from the bed instead of the halls. By necessity, hospital personnel often need to check on vitals of the patients during the night and I was no exception. Being in an unfamiliar bed and still uncomfortable after surgery, I slept lightly at night. On several of those nights as a patient I was awakened by the quiet steps or light touch of a nurse or aide only to open my eyes to find no one there… in body anyway. Please do not fear a hospital stay because of any ghosts that might linger. They are either there as patients themselves or are continuing their duties. One of my favorite sayings about ghostly spirits is that they are just people without bodies.
As a member of the Crawford County Illinois Ghost Hunters Society, I had the pleasure to help investigate a former hospital in a nearby city for over a year. When a new hospital was built, the original hospital building was sold to a business firm that used the bottom floor. Both the second and third floors were used for storage or had unused portions. The basement held mechanical equipment or a few items in storage.
When the background history of the original hospital was being explored by the group, we found many accounts of both phantom personnel and patients. EVP sessions revealed the sounds and messages of some of those who were still caring for the patients, some of who also lingered. We had the privilege of learning much of this history from a retired nurse. She had been a student nurse living in a dorm across the street who eventually was employed as a surgical and obstetric nurse after her graduation. Her many stories helped us not only learn, but tailor our investigation to the uses of the different areas of the hospital. This dear woman was an example of someone who was still serving the hospital in the form of being a historian.
One of the great desires I have as a paranormal investigator is to go to some of the battlegrounds of wars, both in the United States and in other countries. My philosophy has always been that while I have never understood the need this world has for wars, I always support the warriors who have fought them. Since there have been many reports of ghostly soldiers (some so real they were thought to be re-enactors) and the sounds of battle in my local area, I have put Gettysburg, Pennsylvania first on my wish list. There are many theories why this is a common phenomenon on battlefields. Some feel it is residual energy left from the horrid effects of a battle. There is also the theory held by fellow investigators that there are actual intelligent spirits still answering the call of their duties during war. I tend to believe both.
To further explore this concept, I spoke to some of my friends who are vets. One in particular told me of what was called the 4th General Order, but has also been referred to as the 5th General Order in some research that I have done. This general order is a part of all branches of the military service and refers to this; a military person must continue to man their post till properly relieved. That certainly explains why some soldiers seem to still be at their posts long after their death. Perhaps they don’t realize they are no longer alive because of the abruptness of their death, or are just as likely still staying the cause.
Most of those veterans I spoke to talked about the different reasons they served. Many joined the military because of a family history of military service. The call to the colors may have been because of a sense of moral outrage. The issue of slavery and states’ rights during the Civil War and the terrible tragedy of 9/11 proved this by the jump in volunteers during this time period, although there was also a draft during the Civil War. The necessity of team work during battle in order to protect yourself and your fellow soldiers creates a fellowship that can only be understood by those who have lived, trained, and fought together. The credo of “no man left behind” has been and will always be in effect in the military. I have often heard from vets that I have spoken with that once a soldier, always a soldier. They never forget the lessons they learned and the pride in service that becomes such a second nature that it follows them to the end. I feel there is no other explanation needed than this to account for the numerous reports of hauntings where there has been any military action; the body may die but the call to service never does.
There can be some humor associated with those who have served in the military and are now in spirit. While on a ghost tour hosted by the Crawford County Illinois Ghost Hunters several years before I became a member there was an example of this. While doing an EVP session by a grave stone that had a military insignia on it, one of the attendees of the tour was flipped on his back from a standing position. Many witnesses saw that he did not trip…he was sent flying with no one close enough to him to have done it. Although I am not sure if he had been making disparaging remarks about the branch of service of the deceased, he noted that he had been a member of another branch. I have heard of the rivalry between different military services but did not realize that it carried into death. Needless to say, the gentleman left the tour at that point; unhurt, but extremely shaken.
Since I spoke of 9/11, it brings to mind another area of great service… first responders. They put their lives on the line every day in order to protect and serve. As I mentioned before, working in a hospital for so many years I have come in contact with many of them. I have also had the pleasure of knowing personally several of these wonderful people. Two in particular were friends who are now in spirit. Jay Woodworth helped start the local Rescue Squad and implement a 911 system in Crawford County. Both have continued to save lives. When he died, his casket was taken to the cemetery on one of the Rescue Squad vehicles followed by a long line of emergency vehicles. Terry Legg served as a volunteer fireman for many years. Note the term volunteer…he volunteered to run into fiery buildings, instead of running away from them as the rest of us would be inclined to do. My own nephew, Josh Rodgers, died too young almost two years ago after serving as a volunteer fireman. During his service, his body was escorted to the cemetery by several fire units and his own crew did a bell service to indicate he was off duty. It is not uncommon to see tears in the eyes and on the cheeks of these wonderful people when their best efforts were unable to save those they were called to help. It is my belief that many first responders are never “off duty,” choosing to serve in spirit, if not physically.
It seems that every month I have been called to dedicate my column to someone. This month, I would like to dedicate it to all those who have served their fellow man, whether they are alive or in spirit. May we honor them by remembering this service and follow in their footsteps by emulating these actions.
In the words of the first sergeant major of the United States Army, Sgt.Maj. William O. Wooldridge:
“Take care of each man as though he were your own brother. He is.”
About the Author:
Through her work on the investigative team for the Crawford County Illinois Ghost Hunters, Rebecca Nidey has an understanding of the paranormal, spiritual, and metaphysical worlds and how they work together.
Rebecca has trained in the Healing Touch technique (a form of energy healing). She is a certified Psychic Medium trained by Belle Salisbury, and she is a certified Paranormal Researcher.
Rebecca is the associate editor for Bellesprit Magazine and also writes a column titled Everything I Need To Know I Learned In A Haunted House. She has been a co-host of several radio programs for the Haunted Voices Radio Network and HeyZ Radio Network highlighting the Paranormal, metaphysical and literary fields.
To learn more about Rebecca or to schedule a reading you can contact her at https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.nidey.
