Missing Man

Thank You for coming to visit today.  I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.

The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our men and women still missing.

The cloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted - to symbolize their inability to share today's toast.

The chair is empty - the soldier is missing.

This is a "Missing Man Table" which is part of the "Honors Ceremony". The ceremony calls attention to the fact that "the missing are with us, here in spirit," and serves as a reminder to all Americans to never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call to serve.

Our freedom is a gift from our forefathers. The passing of that gift between generations has been left to the Veterans who have served, and the soldiers currently serving our nation when called to duty. You are responsible for carrying on the history, the stories, and the valor of those that are your neighbors, your teachers, your family and your friends. Today let us honor those who have defended our country and the principles under which we live. We say "Thank You" today to our Veterans.

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide... hee-hee


p.s. Most of everything on the table has a story behind it...

My Grandfather was in the U.S. Navy - and this is his hat.  "He was based out of San Diego, CA for two tours in the South Pacific on PBY 5A Catalina's (amphibious airplane) - assistant mechanic on first trip, head mechanic on second. He spent some time in Kanoe Bay, HI for training on both trips, followed by assignment to Banana River NAS (Cape Kennedy, FL). He was assigned to be head mechanic on PBM's (large flying boat) but refused to fly on them. I never got a straight answer as to why, but all consideration involved adjectives. The hellcats and PBM recon had disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle about then. May have had more to do with it than the #@$*^ PBM. He had enough friends to get an assignment to DC as crew chief on JRB's (Small two engine personnel type plane) and flew with Admiral Hoover on many occasions, along with other suits. Apparently his airplane had a very good record for minimal breakdowns. My Grandfather said all the other crew chiefs spent all their time doing tear downs for inspections... he kinda figured that if it cranked, it would probably stay running! He needed all that extra time to go fishing or something!" ~ as told by my Uncle (the senior red.neck...)

The silver, crystal and "napkin" on the table were my Grandmother's. The silver is "Fairfax" by Gorham (a gift from her Aunt), and the Crystal is "Canterbury" by Duncan Miller that she got as a wedding gift in 1944. The "napkin" is actually a tea towel from my Great-Grandmother with an "A" monogrammed on it... from about 1906.

The white plates belong to the "the Mama" and they are "Heritage" by Johnson Brothers. "the Mama" is solely responsible for pulling all of the table setting together for me... as well as handing a print out over with directions for where everything goes...  she's just cool like that...

Enjoy your day today - and thank a soldier... be it Veteran or one currently serving... they have all paid a price for our freedom...