United We Roll at Stardust Radio

I was very honored to attend our local remembrance ceremony of the National POW MIA Day on Friday, September 18th. My appreciation goes out to the planners of this ceremony that took place at the Armament Museum just outside Eglin AFB here in NW Florida. It was beautifully done – both the first half which was held indoors with the speakers, Chorus and Missing Man Table, followed by the second half which was held outdoors with the placement of the wreath, the 21 gun salute, Taps and the Missing Man Formation flyover.

As my eyes gazed over the guests, I could not help but wonder who had been waiting for their loved ones to come home – some have waited for as long as 40 years. As some received assistance with walking aids, I wondered if these were due to age or were these due to the wounds of a POW who had suffered at the hands of his captors. But the most important thing I saw was that a large number of people both in uniform and in civilian clothes of all ages who had gathered together to pay tribute to sons and daughters, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers and many to not one person in particular, but to Heroes of Freedom who had given so much so that our country could remain free and we – you, me & our families – could continue to live the American way of life.

During the first part of the remembrance while we were seated inside, was the Missing Man Table Ceremony. Though I have seen this before, it is as powerful each time as it was the first, in its depth of meaning through the empty chairs and the articles on the table. I believe this is a ceremony that should be demonstrated at the front of every classroom or auditorium for older elementary classes on up through college, in Scout meetings and in youth organizations around the country. I believe this would be an excellent tool for teaching our youngsters about how they received their freedom and that it was not free, but was a gift – an expensive gift. I will reserve any further comment at this point, except to share the Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony along with a couple of the sites where you can find this and more information.

http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/

http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/CONTENThonors.html :

MISSING MAN TABLE & HONORS CEREMONY

As you entered the dining area, you may have noticed a table – raised to call your attention to its purpose – it is reserved to honor our missing loved one.

Set for six, the empty places represent Americans who were or are missing from each of the five services – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard – and civilians, all with us in spirit.

Some here were very young when the Vietnam War began; however, all Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call and served the cause of freedom in a special way.

Please be seated… while I explain the meaning of this special table, and join me for a moment of silent prayer at the end:

The table is round – to show our everlasting concern.

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

The single red rose reminds us of the lives of these men….and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, while seeking answers.

The red ribbon symbolizes our continued determination to account for them.

A slice of lemon reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families who long for answers after decades of uncertainty.

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

The glass is inverted – to symbolize their inability to share this evening’s toast.

The chairs are empty – they are missing…………….. (silent moment)

Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America’s POW/MIA’s and to the success of our efforts to account for them.

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Please mark your calendars for every third Friday in September and let's remember our POW and MIA Heroes.