In Honor of those Missing
American Legion pays tribute to Spanish Fork veterans who never came home from war
The American Legion is an organization to support our military veterans and the Spanish Fork Post recently honored seven World War II veterans who did not return to their families in Spanish Fork.
It was a touching event and Serve Daily would like to share with you details of this tribute. In front of the podium was a table with seven chairs and place settings. A Certificate of Honor and a photo of each individual was at each place setting. Then American Legion member Steve Wilson commenced a reading of “An Empty Table” which provided a beautiful explanation of the evening tribute.
An Empty Table
Those who have served and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States of America 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.
Tonight, we will pause to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s. We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor. Tonight, it is set for seven symbolizing the fact that these members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW’s (Prisoners of War) and MIA’s (Missing in Action). They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence. We call them “comrades”.
The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. 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 also reminds us of the families and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return. The red and black ribbon on the vase represents the ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us today.
The American Flag reminds us that many have not returned and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom. A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of family as they wait. The glass is inverted symbolizing they cannot toast with us tonight.
The chair is empty because 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, to open the arms of a grateful nation. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families. Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.