VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars
2012
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just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
Published in the Petoskey News Review
VFW POST 2051 ~ 11 November 2012
POW ★ MIA
Empty Chair Ceremony
Roger Mays shared a narration similar to the following:
We would like to take this opportunity to remember the incredible cost paid by those who gave their all to help preserve the freedoms we enjoy, those gallant individuals who fought and died for our country. Yet, it is in remembering our fallen comrades that we are reminded of those whose fate is still unknown, those still listed as Missing In Action and Prisoners Of War.
More than 78,000 Americans are still unaccounted for from World War II; 8,100 from Korea; 120 from the Cold War; 1,810 from Viet Nam; and 3 from the Gulf War. These courageous Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedom, will never be forgotten.
To honor these men and women, we will perform the POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony.
Those who have served and those currently serving in the uniformed services 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.
We call your attention to this small table which occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is being set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POWs and MIAs.
We call them comrades. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and to bear witness to their continued absence.
The Table is round symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.
The Tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.
The table is being Set for One, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her oppressors.
The RED Ribbon on the Vase represents the red ribbons worn on the lapels of thousands who demand, with unyielding determination, a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.
The Single Rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.
A Slice of Lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of their bitter fate.
The Salt sprinkled on the plate is to remind us of the countless tears of those who have never come home and of the tears of their families and friends, whose grief knows no end.
The Glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us this day/night.
The American Flag reminds us that many may never return and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.
The Chair is empty, our Comrades are missing.
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.
More than 78,000 Americans are still unaccounted for from World War II; 8,100 from Korea; 120 from the Cold War; 1,810 from Viet Nam; and 3 from the Gulf War. These courageous Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedom, will never be forgotten.
To honor these men and women, we will perform the POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony.
Those who have served and those currently serving in the uniformed services 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.
We call your attention to this small table which occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is being set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POWs and MIAs.
We call them comrades. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and to bear witness to their continued absence.
The Table is round symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.
The Tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.
The table is being Set for One, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her oppressors.
The RED Ribbon on the Vase represents the red ribbons worn on the lapels of thousands who demand, with unyielding determination, a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.
The Single Rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.
A Slice of Lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of their bitter fate.
The Salt sprinkled on the plate is to remind us of the countless tears of those who have never come home and of the tears of their families and friends, whose grief knows no end.
The Glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us this day/night.
The American Flag reminds us that many may never return and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.
The Chair is empty, our Comrades are missing.
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.
The VFW POST 2051 LADIES AUXILIARY
Prepared And Presented A Wonderful Meal To The Emmet County Veterans And Their Families.
Prepared And Presented A Wonderful Meal To The Emmet County Veterans And Their Families.
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Ken Starr, 95 years old, is a Lifetime Member of the VFW. He was the oldest attending VFW member for the 11 November 2012 Tribute Ceremony and Meal. Other veterans very graciously shook Ken's hand at the end of the evening and thanked him for his military service... and the other veterans were to be thanked as well. ~ See Ken Starr's story on this site, of being on Pearl Harbor the day the bombs were dropped.
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All photos of the VFW Tribute Ceremony and Meal were taken 11 November 2012 by Karla Howard Buckmaster.
