Seaside Weekend!!!

This weekend is going to be a GREAT WEEKEND!!! When this is posted, I will be in Seaside Heights for one of my favourite events to attend. The title might say I am having fun. But, I am working and enjoying time with family. Not my blood relatives but my Legion family. This weekend in POW/MIA weekend. This has been an event I attend every year since I was in sixth grade I think. I don't remember. This is an American Legion event that is open to the public. If you are in NJ and want to learn something, join in on the education!!! And it is right at the end of the boardwalk. It's a win-win I think.
It is an all night flag retirement service that has different services and readings of POWs and MIAs from different wars. This is a somber event in my opinion. The opening services are a great way to learn what goes on. This is one of few that are all night. And as an Auxilary member, I am proud to be part of a great organization.

Here is the flyer for the Watchfire
Here is a post with a detailed meaning of the table.

This is the time where I get catch up with people from SouthJersey. I do not get to see them often since I am based in Northen New Jersey. I love talking with my friends and others. If I need a break from everything, I can just wander on the boardwalk and come back.
Once I am tired and need to sleep, I go back to my hotel room that I share with my dad since it is usually the two of us. Then we head back to the beach for the closing service and breakfast after. Once everything is packed up, it is time to drive back home.
This year it is from Friday September 18th to Saturday September 19th 7pm to 7am.
You can follow my Instagram to see how everything is going at the shore :)

Hope y'all have a great weekend and I'll talk soon! xoxo

Shannon

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