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.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
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

[Mama_Bear]

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

Thanks, Louie. You are always so appreciative of what we do here, and it means a lot to me.

I've been waiting all day for you to show up so I can give you a big 'thank you' hug and SMOOOOOOOOOCH! :-)

Evenin', fuzzbo. : )

Evenin', wolfie. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for the great story, MamaBear.

You're very welcome. I am happy to spread the word about this tradition that it seems so few of us knew about. I think that anything that we can do to keep the issue of our POW/MIAs in front of the public is a good thing.

Have a pleasant evening, Texagirl. I am getting ready to sit down and enjoy the Convention this evening. So far, the speeches have been great and I expect that Dick Cheney and Zell Miller will both knock one out of the park again tonight.

[Mama_Bear]

Good evening, (((((Colleen))))), and thank you for your post.

I will never forget either.

[Mama_Bear]

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

Yes, and Amen! God bless and protect our men and women deployed in the service of their country, and their families who wait here at home.

[deadhead]

Hi there. I have never heard of "A Table Set For One"

Great thread. Thank You, Mama_Bear and scubachick :-)

[Mama_Bear]

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

Thanks JW. It is nice to feel appreciated, and you always make sure that we do. :-)

Have a nice evening, FRiend.

[Mama_Bear]

Hi there. I have never heard of "A Table Set For One"

I had not either. Seems that none of us here had heard of it, but I think it is a wonderful tradition.

Diver Dave has come up with the idea to set up a "table for one" at our annual FReeper Picnic on the 11th in Fresno, and he has offered to read the narrative too. I think it is a great idea! :-)

[deadhead]

"Diver Dave has come up with the idea to set up a "table for one" at our annual FReeper Picnic on the 11th in Fresno, and he has offered to read the narrative too. I think it is a great idea! :-)"

Great idea, Diver Dave!

Fresno Freepers are awesome! Looking forward to hearing Zell Miller and Vice President Cheney speak tonight. Saw on tv, President Bush and Laura landing here in NY, they will be hanging out with NY firefighter tonight watching the Vice President speak. I have a gut feeling that President Bush will win by a landside.

Bush/Cheney '04

[deadhead]

firefighter should be firefighters

[scubachick]

Harrumph! Some wolf you turned out to be!! You are so busy smooching my auntie that you didn't even say Hi to me! I'll remember this!

[scubachick]

You are the best!! Finally our table will be complete! Thank you so much, LadyX. I never even thought about Jeeves!

[auboy]

[scubachick]

You are welcome! Mama_Bear deserves all the credit for her beautiful post! Glad you liked it!

[Mama_Bear]

LOL!! Uh oh! ;-)

[scubachick]

That is such a beautiful idea! I know Diver Dave will do a great job with the narrative! Just wish I was closer so I could join everyone at the picnic!

[Mama_Bear]

That is a BEAUTIFUL rose!! Did you take that photo?

[Mama_Bear]

Just wish I was closer so I could join everyone at the picnic!

Oh, I wish you were able to come too! We have a such a good time, and of course JK's tri-tip is always a big hit. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

I have a gut feeling that President Bush will win by a landside.

Oh, I pray so! The alternative is just unthinkable.

Zell Miller and Cheney were fantastic, weren't they?

[auboy]

Yes. But one of my neighbor nurtured it. He has a beautiful rose garden.

[deadhead]

"Zell Miller and Cheney were fantastic, weren't they

They were awesome :-)

I posted this on another thread before:

Good Night, God Bless America