Lori Marie Key, a local nurse from St. Mary Mercy in Livonia, graced the national memorial ceremony in Washington by singing “Amazing Grace” the evening prior to Joe Biden’s inauguration. Her viral rendition of the song early on in the pandemic helped inspire many, and get her to a national stage in Washington D.C..
The memorial ceremony was held as President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and their spouses visited to honor the 400,000 Americans who have lost their lives to COVID-19, while the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was lit up with 400 lights in memory of the victims.
Michigan nurse Lori Marie Key, who went viral singing 'Amazing Grace' at work, reprises the song at the national COVID-19 memorial ceremony pic.twitter.com/8OtCaNU5mw
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 19, 2021
Prior to the ceremony, the local nurse shared on her Facebook page, “I am lost for words right now. Can’t believe I’m here. What an adventure and dream. All glory to God!”
“Working as a Covid nurse was heartbreaking. It’s heart for the patients that are sick, it’s heartbreaking for the families who wouldn’t be there with them and it was heartbreaking for those caring with them” Key said. “When I am at work I sing. It gives me strength during difficult times and I believe it helps heal.”
Following the performance, President Elect Joe Biden thanked Key. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, if there are any angels in heaven, they’re all nurses. We know from our own family experience what you do. The courage, the pain for absorb from others. So thank you, thank you.”
“Abiding prayer is that we emerge from this ordeal with a new wisdom, to cherish simple moments, to imagine new possibilities, and to open our hearts, just a little bit more, to one another” shared Harris.
The Biden Inauguration Committee also shared, “Lori Marie Key is an American Hero. We are so thankful for her service as a COVID-19 nurse, and for her healing performance of Amazing Grace.”
This local nurse, as well as the efforts and sacrifices all medical professionals have made throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will not be forgotten.
