A Veteran's Journey

“Missing Man” Table

Veteran’s Day is Friday, November 11.

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Veteran’s Day—not to be confused with Memorial Day—is a federal holiday for honoring military veterans of the US Armed Forces.

Many restaurants provide discounts to veterans on this day. Many of these restaurants also display what has become known as the “Missing Man” Table. You may have noticed this in the past; you may notice it this year. For this proud United States Navy Veteran, this tradition symbolizes what I feel… inside.

The Missing Man Table, also known as the Fallen Comrade Table, is a ceremony and a memorial in honor of the fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members. This table serves as a focal point of remembrance, originally growing out of the US concern for Vietnam War POW/MIAs.

The tradition varies among venues—sometimes a single chair represents all who are missing. Sometimes there are six empty chairs, representing Americans who were or are missing from each of the services—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard—and civilians, all with us in spirit.

The Missing Man Table comprises many symbols:

• The table is round, showing our everlasting concern for our missing men and women;
  
• A white cloth is draped across the table, symbolizing the purity of their response when answering the call to serve;
  
• The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the lives of these Americans and their families and loved ones who keep the faith, all the while awaiting their return;
  
• The yellow ribbon symbolizes our continuing uncertainty, the hope for their return, and our determination to account for them;
  
• A slice of lemon on the bread plate reminds us of their bitter suffering, captured and missing in a foreign land;
  
• The grains of salt on the bread plate symbolize the countless fallen tears of our missing and their families;
  
• The lighted candle reflects our hope for their return and illuminates their way home to the open arms of a grateful Nation;
  
• The Bible represents the strength gained through faith, to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one Nation under God;
  
• The wine glass is inverted, reminding us they cannot share a toast with us today;
  
• The empty chair depicts an unknown face… the “missing man.”

NEVER FORGET