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Post Officers 2010 - 2011
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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.
“We call your attention to this small
table which 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 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 to the Supreme Commander that all
of 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.” |
| Above is an abstract from American Legion Manual of Ceremonies |
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