Each year the VHCMA honors our POW/MIA's at the beginning of our Saturday night Banquet. Many of you might be familiar with the Service. The details are as follows:

Requirements for a POW/MIA Table Display

This is an outline of items required for a POW/MIA Table display.
1. Small table (usually enough for only one)
2. White table cloth (plain cotton looks the best).
3. A distinctive dish and silverware setting for elegant dining (use your
best).
4. A rose (real for special occasions, but silk for permanent display) in a
glass vase.
5. Red ribbon (tied at the base of the vase).
6. Slice of lemon (real for special occasions, but silk for permanent
display).
7. Small (bread) plate with a small pile of salt.
8. A nice look dinner (water) glass (inverted).
9. One chair (can be adorned with a POW/MIA draping available for
many sources).
Note: Some tables have names of POW/MIA from that region…although this
is okay…it is best to be commemorating all POW/MIAs.
Note about Roses:
· Red Rose denotes passion and love (normally used on a POW/MIA
table)

We always place the table centered in the banquet room where everyone can see it. The service goes as follows and it has been my prevelage to read it last year and again this year. It is very moving and difficult to get through without loosing ones composure.

POW/MIA Remembrance Service
“Those who have served, and those currently serving in the uniformed services of the United States, are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others, who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and imprisonment. Let us pause to recognize our POWs and MIAs.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, please direct your attention to this SMALL TABLE, here in front; it occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is SET FOR ONE, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POWs and MIAs. “We call them Comrades”. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay humble tribute to them, and to bear witness to their continued absence. “The TABLE is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.” “The TABLECLOTH IS WHITE, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.” “The SINGLE ROSE in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.” “The RED RIBBON on the vase represents the red ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination, a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.” “A SLICE OF LEMON on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.” “The SALT sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.” “The GLASS is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time.” The CHAIR is empty. They are not here.” “The CANDLE is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.” “The AMERICAN FLAG reminds us that many of them may never return, and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.” “Let us pray that all our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.” Let us remember------- and never forget their sacrifice.” “May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families.”
“FELLOW SOLDIERS and EVERYONE HERE TONIGHT I propose a toast to our Comrades.

“(To our Comrades).”

Tom Gator 851.