POW/MIA Missing Man Table and Honors Ceremony
Aug 21, 2005 9:53:43 GMT -6
Post by Moderator on Aug 21, 2005 9:53:43 GMT -6
Set up the following items on a stage or at the front of the room ...
Stand off-stage. If possible, dim all lighting except for a spotlight focused on the table. Read the following ...
Those who have served ...
and those currently serving in the Armed Forces 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 internment.
Before we begin our activities this evening ...
we will pause to recognize our POWs and MIAs.
We call your attention to this small table ...
which occupies the place of dignity and honor.
It is set for one ...
symbolizing the fact that members of our Armed Forces ...
are missing from our ranks.
We call them POWs and MIAs.
We call them comrades.
They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight ...
so we join together to pay a 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 table cloth 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 have shed ...
to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America.
The rose also reminds us of the family and friends ...
who keep the faith ...
while awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon on the vase represents those who demand a final accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.
The slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.
The salt, when sprinkled onto 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 ...
and into the open arms of a grateful Nation.
Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.
Let us remember them and never forget their sacrifices.
May God forever watch over them ...
and protect them and their families.
Play Taps and then Some Gave All.
Stand off-stage. If possible, dim all lighting except for a spotlight focused on the table. Read the following ...
Those who have served ...
and those currently serving in the Armed Forces 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 internment.
Before we begin our activities this evening ...
we will pause to recognize our POWs and MIAs.
We call your attention to this small table ...
which occupies the place of dignity and honor.
It is set for one ...
symbolizing the fact that members of our Armed Forces ...
are missing from our ranks.
We call them POWs and MIAs.
We call them comrades.
They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight ...
so we join together to pay a 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 table cloth 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 have shed ...
to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America.
The rose also reminds us of the family and friends ...
who keep the faith ...
while awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon on the vase represents those who demand a final accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.
The slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.
The salt, when sprinkled onto 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 ...
and into the open arms of a grateful Nation.
Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.
Let us remember them and never forget their sacrifices.
May God forever watch over them ...
and protect them and their families.
Play Taps and then Some Gave All.