As lights start to dim:

· The candle bearer will march forward (slow march), position themself facing the audience and light the candle on the POW/MIA table. After lighting the candle, slow salute, and depart the area.

As the lights are completely dimmed:

Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight, we offer a symbol. A symbol representative of those comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the most precious of all human rights. In violent arenas of land, sea, and skies. Far away from the homes and families they fought so bravely for. These brothers and sisters gave their lives so we might stand free and strong. We offer this symbol as a sign we have not forgotten their sacrifice and a renewal of the oath each of us has taken to defend the freedom they paid for so dearly. We also acknowledge those missing in action, past, present, and future, who are still unaccounted for.

Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated so that all may see the arrival of our honoured guests.

Table of Honor Escorts, POST! (Command)

· Candle bearer will march back to their seat upon hearing the cue of: "We also acknowledge."

· As the music starts to play "The Army Song," the spotlight will be turned on and positioned on the Army escort who will slow march to the table. He/She will lay an Army wheel cap on the table, slowly lift a single wine glass to waist level, slowly invert the glass, slowly return it to the table, slow salute, and return to the position of "Attention."

· When the song ends, the spotlight will be turned off, re-positioned on the Marine escort and turned back on.

· As the second song, "The Marine Corps Hymn," begins, the Marine escort, will slow march to the table and take position to the right of the Army escort. He/She will lay a Marine wheel cap on the table, slowly lift a single wine glass to waist level, slowly invert the glass, slowly return it to the table, slow salute, and return to the position of "Attention."

· When the song ends, the spotlight will be turned off, re-positioned on the Navy escort and turned back on.

· As the third song, "The Navy Song," begins, the Navy escort, will slow march to the table and take position to the right of the Marine escort. He/She will lay a Navy wheel cap on the table, slowly lift a single wine glass to waist level, slowly invert the glass, slowly return it to the table, slow salute, and

· When the song ends, the spotlight will be turned off, re-positioned on the Air Force escort and turned back on.

· As the fourth song, "The Air Force Song," begins, the Air Force escort, will slow march to the table and take position to the right of the Navy escort. He/She will lay a Air Force wheel cap on the table, slowly lift a single wine glass to waist level, slowly invert the glass, slowly return it to the table, slow salute, and return to the position of "Attention."

· The Air Force escort will command (in a low voice), POST! All escorts will simultaneously execute the appropriate facing movement to position themselves facing the exit. Without command, the Army escort will step off, followed by the Marine escort, Navy escort, and the Air Force escort, and will proceed out the designated exit with all in-step.

· As the Air Force escort departs the room the spotlight will be turned off and the overhead lights will slowly be turned on.

The table you see before you tonight is set for those prisoners of war and missing in action who cannot be with us. Please reflect upon the number of missing in action…more than 89,000 since WW II. We stand with and represent all of them here tonight.

The table is smaller than the others, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against their oppressors.

The four service hats symbolize everyone who has served in all conflicts.

The white table cloth represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms.

The table is round, to show our concern for them is never ending.

The bible is our symbol of our faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God.

The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends.

The single red rose reminds us of the families and loved ones, and the red ribbon represents the love of our country which inspired them to answer our nation’s call.

The yellow candle and yellow ribbon symbolize the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those not yet accounted for.

The slice of lemon on the bread plate reminds us of their bitter fate.

The salt on the bread plate represents the tears of their families.

The wine glass is turned upside down to remind us our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to drink a toast or join in the festivities this evening.

The American Flag is present to mourn the fact that many of them will not return to our shores, and to pay tribute to their passing.

For all of us present here tonight, may we always remember:

It is the soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. And..

It is the soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, who salutes the flag, serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

Just prior to retiring the Table of Honour, the escorts will assemble.

Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated for the retiring of the Table of Honours.

· When the spotlight comes on, the Army escort will proceed to his/her designated position at the table and stand at Attention.

· When the spotlight comes on, the Marine escort will proceed to his/her designated position at the table and stand at Attention.

· When the spotlight comes on, the Navy escort will proceed to his/her designated position at the table and stand at Attention.

· When the spotlight comes on, the Air Force escort will proceed to his/her designated position at the table and stand at Attention.

· The spotlight will now stay affixed to the POW/MIA table.

· After the Air Force escort is in his/her designated position, he/she will observe a standard pause, and executes a slow hand salute. All escorts will cue on the Air Force escort on when to execute a slow hand salute.

· As soon as all escorts have executed the slow salute, "Taps" plays, and at its conclusion the Air Force escort will execute a slow Order, Arms. All escorts will cue on the Air Force escort on when to execute a slow Order, Arms and will follow all of the following movements on the cue of the Air Force escort:

. Slowly reaching for the glass.

. Slowly raising the glass.

. Slowly flipping the glass.

. Slowly placing the glass back on the table, upright.

. Slowly reaching for the appropriate wheel cap

. Slowly turning the wheel cap

. Slowly placing the wheel cap on the upturned left arm, holding the brim with the tips of the fingers.

All escorts are now back at the position of Attention.

· The Air Force escort will command (in a low voice), POST!

· All escorts will simultaneously execute the appropriate facing movement to position themselves facing the exit.

· Without command, the Army escort steps off, followed by the Marine escort, Navy escort, and the Air Force escort, and will proceed out the exit with all in-step.

· As the Air Force escort starts to exit the spotlight will be turned off and the overhead lights will slowly be turned on.

· Immediatlely after the Air Force escort steps-off, the candle bearer will come forward, position facing the audience and extinguish the candle, and proceed back to his/her seat in the audience.