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.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

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

[dutchess]

What an absolutely moving thread Lori. This tradition was new to me too and has me choked up. And what a moving picture of the MIA/POW bracelets you and Mr. JK wore. I'm now double choked up. Have a wonderful day dear sistah.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Finest Aeronaut.

[Mama_Bear]

I cannot believe the American people will elect a Traitor to be our next president.

I can't either! My mind just will not accept the possibility. I refuse to believe that my America has sunk so low that a man like Kerry could get elected.

Thanks for your compliments on the post today, Amy. I am thinking about setting up a little table in my dining room like this. I don't have much space, but I think there would be room for it.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Gail. Happy Wednesday to you!

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, ((((((((Mayor)))))))). Thank you for the coffee and Verse this Fine Wednesday.

[Mama_Bear]

Hey, Temple Owl. Always a pleasure to be able to say 'good morning' to you. :-)

[JustAmy]

"I am thinking about setting up a little table in my dining room like this"

I think that would be great .... do it! I want to see pictures!!

[Mama_Bear]

'Morning, (((((((((Billie)))))))). Wishing you an extra Fine Wednesday. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

What an absolutely moving thread Lori.

Thank you for the sweet compliments, dear Sistah.

I have had the article and idea for presenting this for quite awhile, waiting for the opportunity to use it for a post. Now, with the Swift Boat Vets exposing Kerry for the traitor that he was, and is, I thought it was an appropriate time for everyone to remember that most served honorably, many suffered incredibly, and hundreds upon hundreds of our soldiers and pilots were never accounted for. The damage that Kerry did to our military still fighting honorably on foreign soil, was immeasurable. I refuse to believe that he could ever be Commander in Chief of our military now. The thought of it just makes me sick.

[Mama_Bear]

do it!

I think I will. I need to find a small POW/MIA flag and an American flag in a stand, but other than that, I think I have everything I need. :-)

[scubachick]

You are welcome, Finest Auntie! I'm glad you were able to use it. As usual, your presentation and graphics were beautiful! xoxoxoxo

[scubachick]

You are welcome! When I found the article in the paper and showed it to my husband, he said he had seen a similar set-up on one of the ships he was stationed on. We have my great-grandmother's little end table in our dining room set up to give tribute and thanks to our POWs and MIAs. This seems fitting as my Great-Grandma came to this country to find a better life, and always taught us to appreciate our great country and the freedom we have here, as well as the men who fought for those freedoms.

[scubachick]

I couldn't find a small POW/MIA flag. You saw the huge one hanging by our front door, but a small one for the table was impossible to locate back here. If you find one, will you tell me where you got it? I had no trouble with the small American flag, so that is what is sitting on the table.

[Mama_Bear]

As usual, your presentation and graphics were beautiful! xoxoxoxo

:-)

[Mama_Bear]

If you find one, will you tell me where you got it?

I checked on the internet and haven't been able to locate one either, but I will keep looking. I have found several sites where the large flags are available, like the one by your front door, but no small ones.

If I find one, I'll be sure to let you know.

(((((((scubachick))))))))

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for providing Mama Bear with the concept, scubachick. She certainly did a wonderful job of presenting it with the beauty and dignity it deserves.

I'll check around for some small POW/MIA flags in our area.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I get mine, small POW Flags, at the Coast Guard Exchange.

I'm a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

I have one on the Hwy in front of my house.

[Mama_Bear]

Auboy, thanks for your freepmail. I have added your cousin to my military prayer list.

Pinging the others so they can add him to theirs also. Sistahs, please add another serviceman to your lists.......auboy's cousin, a deployed Navy Lieutenant.

[Mama_Bear]

She certainly did a wonderful job of presenting it with the beauty and dignity it deserves.

Awww.......you are too kind, DD. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks Tonk. I'll keep checking around here and on the internet. HUGS!