POW/MIA
Remembrance Service
The following is a “suggested”
service to be used at American Legion meetings, banquets, luncheons, or
memorial gatherings in conjunction with the POW/MIA flag draped over an empty
chair...this service can be adopted, or modified appropriately for your own
preferred use. Members should remove their caps during this service.
“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 imprisonment.
“Before we
begin our activities, we pause to recognize our POWs and MIAs.
“We call your attention to this small
table which occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is 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 humble tribute to them, and to bear
witness to their continued absence.
“The table is small, 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 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 family and friends of our missing
comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.
“The red ribbon on the vase represents an unyielding
determination, for a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us.
“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
families as they wait.
“The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at
this time.
“The chair is empty. 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 the
open arms of a grateful
nation.
“The American flag reminds us that many of them may
never return—and have
paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.
“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 sacrifice.
“May God forever watch over them and protect them and their
families.”
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