Explanation!

Allo everyone! I am going to a service to remember POWs and MIAS= Prisoners of War and Missing In Action. As part of weekend we properly retire both American and POW flags. There are services throughout the night and one of them is the meaning of the single table. Then we have another reading of the names of current POWs/MIAs. Below is a photo and the meaning of the table. I did my senior option project on the organization that I have been a part of since I was a little girl. 

•The table is set for one: symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against their oppressor.

•Tablecloth is white: symbolic of purity of their intentions to respond their country’s call to arms.

•A single rose: Reminds us of the families 

and loved ones of our comrades who

 kept faith awaiting their return.

•A red ribbon around the vase: reminds of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breast of thousands who bear witness to this tragedy; with unyielding determination demand a proper accounting of our missing.

•Lemon slice: bitter fate of the POWs and MIAs

•Salt on the plate:  the families tears and they wait.

•Inverted glass: cannot toast with us tonight

•Empty chair: they are not here 

We have the watch fire in Seaside Heights, NJ on the beach at the end of the boardwalk. It is held on the third weekend of September since that is POW/MIA recognition weekend.  I help out from prep, helping my da cook, keeping the fire going by retiring the flags, then crashing at midnight because I am so flamed out from the long day. Then another service at 7am to close it out until the next year.  I will be posting a blog when I come home Sunday or Monday; shall see how I feel when I am home. I can't wait to my Legion family in South Jersey and have a small break from my crazy work and daily life!!! 

Talk to y'all soon and have a fun and safe last weekend of summer!!!

   Shannon

http://www.8tfw.com/pages/powtable.htm