POW/MIA

VFW Post 3901 Home

In honor to those Comrades taken
Prisoner of War
and those still
Missing in Action

The Missing Man Table

National POW/MIA Website

POW/MIA Memorial

National POW/MIA
League of Families

The
Missing
Man
Table

"When one American is not worth the efforts to be found, we as Americans have lost"

Wife of James Douglas Birchim
US Army Special Forces
Declared MIA on 15 November 1968

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	We call your attention to this small table. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our military are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW’s and MIA’s. We call them comrades. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence. This table, set for one, 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 red rose in the vase, signifies the blood they many 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 the faith, while awaiting their return. The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight. 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 this night. 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 represents those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 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 sacrifices. May god forever watch over them and protect them and their families.