As you arrived here today to this field of remembrance, you may have noticed the small table placed in honor of the presence of our five services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The military is filled with symbologies. This table is our way of symbolizing that members of our professional arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POW's or MIA's. We call them "Brothers". They are unable to be with us, and so we remember them this day.
This table set for five is small - symbolizing the fraility of the prisoners alone against their oppressors.
The table cloth is white sybolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.
REMEMBER!
The single rose displayed in the vase is symbolic of the families and loved ones who keep the faith awaiting their return.
REMEMBER!
The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminicient of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breast of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.
REMEMBER!
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.
REMEMBER!
There is salt on the bread plate symbolic of the family's tears as they wait.
REMEMBER!
The glasses are inverted, they cannot toast with us today.
REMEMBER!
Remember all of you who served with them and called them comrades - who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them. For surely, they have not forgotten you.
REMEMBER!
UNTIL THE DAY THEY COME HOME!
REMEMBER!