A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-01-04...A Table Set For One

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

You Are Not Forgotten

Several months ago my niece, FReeper "scubachick", sent me an article from The Charlotte Observer about a tradition observed aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN75), to honor our POW/MIAs, and about the sailor who had volunteered to maintain it during his assignment in the wardroom. I had not heard of this tradition and the story touched my heart. Scubachick and I thought it would be an interesting subject for a post here on this "Finest" thread where we daily honor our military, past and present.

I have since learned that this tradition is often a part of military and veteran's banquets, dinners, and other occasions where setting up a dinner table would be appropriate.

At A Table Set For One,
A Reminder For All

Dateline, March 24, 2003, aboard the USS Harry S Truman in the Eastern Mediterranean -......by Sandy Bauers Knight Ridder

[excerpt]......Steven DeLuna approaches the tiny white table with reverence. He picks up the white plate ever so carefully. Meticulously, he dusts around the pile of salt in the center. He dusts the white tablecloth underneath.

Most of the time aboard this aircraft carrier, DeLuna, 19, of Plano, Texas, works with the Sea Sparrow air to air missile. But now, during a temporary duty in the wardroom, he's made it a personal mission to care for this solitary table, set for one, where no one ever sits.

The table is dedicated to the honor and memory of POWS and MIAS. While other chairs in the room have covers of royal blue trimmed in gold, the single chair at this table is covered in white.

Even when the room is rearranged for special events, the white table stays put.

DeLuna knows and appreciates Navy traditions. He knew what the table meant and asked to clean it during his stint in the wardroom.

"The entire time I'm cleaning", he said, "I just know that's one of those things to be solemn for. I try to be more on the respectful side, not rushing through it."

Similar tables exist throughout the military. There are variations, but most are small like this one. It's size symbolizes "the fragility of one prisoner against the oppressor", according to a small placard on the table.

Lest We Forget...

"The Missing Man Ceremony"

The Missing Man Ceremony is a dignified and solemn moment in many formal dinners and other occasions. There have been many different narratives written for the ceremony, but the symbolism is quite constant.

The Missing Man Ceremony usually follows the "Posting of the Colors" and the "National Anthem" in the order of the program.

Moderator: "As you entered the Mess this evening, you may have noticed a small table in the place of honor. It is set for one. Please let me explain. The military caste is filled with symbology. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called P.O.W or M.I.A. We call them "BROTHERS". They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them because of their incarceration.

This table set for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his aggressors. REMEMBER!!

The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms. REMEMBER!!

REMEMBER, the single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting his return.

REMEMBER, the red ribbon tied so prominently to the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breast of those who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

REMEMBER, a slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate, symbolic of the families tears as they wait. REMEMBER!!

The glass is inverted--they cannot toast with us this night. REMEMBER!!

REMEMBER, 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.

REMEMBER--all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

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."

Thank you to the following sources
for information and graphics:

The Charlotte Observer
Rolling Thunder- Missing Man Ceremony
The Retired Enlisted Association









In memory of our POW/MIAs and, in particular,
these two men whose names are engraved on the
bracelets my husband and I wore for many years.

RICHARD LEE AYERS - MIA
KENNETH ROBBINS CAMERON - POW
(Died in captivity - Remains Returned 06 March 1974)



God Bless our missing and
those who wait for their return.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-30-04 Military Monday 08-31-04 RNC Showtime! Shock and Awe!

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
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4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

CLICK

[scubachick]

You are welcome! I knew Mama_Bear would treat this information with her usual style and grace and find the perfect venue for disseminating the information. Thank you for checking on the flags as well!

[GailA]

I got in 3 hours at the GOP HQ this morning, we are going to go camping for the next 2 days, be back late Fri afternoon.

[scubachick]

I checked at Fort Bragg, and had my mom check at MCRD in San Diego and at the Exchange, as well as on the internet, all to no avail, but I am going to keep searching. Thanks for the idea about checking the Coast Guard Exchange!

[Mama_Bear]

I got in 3 hours at the GOP HQ this morning, we are going to go camping for the next 2 days, be back late Fri afternoon.

Have a great time, Gail. See ya' when you get back.

[Aquamarine]

I've taken care of it MB.

You did a beautiful job of remembering and honoring our POW's today.

Never Forget!

[Mama_Bear]

I've taken care of it MB.

Thanks, FRiend, for that and for the compliments. :-)

Never Forget, indeed!

[Mama_Bear]

POW/MIA Families Against John Kerry.

John Kerry sold out our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action in favor of Trade Relations with Vietnam. Why?

Click the link above to read more....

[Aquamarine]

Excellent idea for a balloon!

[Mama_Bear]

Isn't this beautiful?

[Aquamarine]

Oh yes!

Did your hubby take that picture?

[Mama_Bear]

Did your hubby take that picture?

No. I found it out on the internet. :-)

[LadyX]

Wonderful subject and presentation, as yours always are, Mama_Bear.
I inquired of Jeeves to find a small POW/MIA desk flag for you.

~Go Here~

(It won't let you copy the small picture of it)

POW-MIA DESK FLAG 4.5" X 6"
Comes with gold colored staff and base.

Our Price: $3.95

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, ((((((((Lady Maggie))))))))!!!

Scubachick, LadyX found the flags for us! Are our Finest FRiends resourceful, or what?

Couldn't get your link didn't work for me, Maggie, but I managed to get there via the url. I think this link will work, maybe.......Small POW/MIA Flag.

[Diver Dave]

A Marine comes to the rescue once again.

Way to go, Marine!

[LadyX]

That's odd, because I tried the link when it previewed, and it went right to it!

Thanks, Dave - - have to admit, though you as a genuine, patriotic, troop-supporting! Navy guy, inspired me to look for it..:))

[jwfiv]

Very moving and beautfuly done ... thank you, Mrs. Bear ... )

[deadhead]

I will Never Forget

~Colleen~

[Texagirl4W]

Thanks for the great story, MamaBear.

MeekOG, did you read the story today. It's starts with a 19 year old from Plano. VERY good. < ;)

[auboy]

Thank you MaMa_Bear. May we raise our prayers for all who serve. And for their families, too.

[ST.LOUIE1]

WOW! Just....WOW! A beautiful thread, fuzzy.

I have never heard of this tradition, extremely heartwarming.

Evenin', fuzzbo. : )