The POW/MIA or Missing Man Table
The POW/MIA Missing Man Table ceremony is a dignified and solemn moment in many formal dinners and other occasions.
There have been many different narratives written for the ceremony, but the symbolism is quite constant. It involves a table, usually set off to the side, with a single chair.
The table is set with a white tablecloth, a single candle, a book of faith (optional), an inverted glass, and a single red rose in a vase, around which is tied a red or yellow ribbon.
Set at the table is a plate containing a slice of lemon and a small amount of salt.
There is nothing more poignant than witnessing the empty chair sitting at a POW/MIA table with incredible significance for every displayed feature of this ritual.
Witnessing the ceremony that accompanies this memorable event brings more than just a single emotion. The ceremony is performed many times, throughout the year, at official military events in remembrance and in honor of all POW/MIAs.
(Credit to the US Department of Defense)
Missing Man Table Ceremony (Credit to National VFW)
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE CENTER OF THE GATHERING. AS YOU ENTERED THE DINING AREA, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED A TABLE AT THE FRONT, RAISED TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO ITS PURP0SE – IT IS RESERVED TO HONOR OUR MISSING MEN (OR MISSING COMRADES IN ARMS, FOR VETERANS). I WILL EXPLAIN. SET FOR SIX, THE EMPTY PLACES REPRESENT AMERICANS WHO WERE OR ARE MISSING FROM EACH OF THE SERVICES – ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD – AND CIVILIANS. THIS HONORS CEREMONY SYMBOLIZES THAT THEY ARE WITH US, IN SPIRIT. SOME (HERE) IN THIS ROOM WERE VERY YOUNG WHEN THEY WENT INTO COMBAT; HOWEVER, ALL AMERICANS SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ANSWERED OUR NATION’S CALL AND SERVED THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IN A SPECIAL WAY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO STAND, AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER, AS THE HONOR GUARD PLACES THE FIVE SERVICE COVERS AND A CIVILIAN CAP ON EACH EMPLTY PLATE. (IN SILENCE OR WITH DIGNIFIED, QUIET MUSIC AS BACKGROUND, THE HONOR GUARD MOVES INTO POSITION AROUND THE TABLE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PLACES THE COVERS OF THE ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD AND A CIVILIAN HAT, ON THE DINNER PLATE AT EACH TABLE SETTING. THE HONOR GUARD THEN DEPARTS.) PLEASE BE SEATED. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE ITEMS ON THIS SPECIAL TABLE.
THE TABLE IS ROUND – TO SHOW OUR EVERLASTING CONCERN.
THE TABLECLOTH IS WHITE, SYMBOLIZING THE PURITY OF THEIR MOTIVES WHEN ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVE.
THE SINGLE RED ROSE REMINDS US OF THE LIVES OF THESE AMERICANS…AND THE LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS WHO KEEP THE FAITH, AWAITING ANSWERS.
THE YELLOW RIBBON SYMBOLIZES OUR CONTINUED UNCERTAINY, HOPE FOR THEIR RETURN AND DETERMINATION TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM.
A SLICE OF LEMON REMINDS US OF THEIR BITTER FATE, CAPTURED OR MISSING IN A FOREIGN LAND.
A PINCH OF SALT SYMBOLIZES THE TEARS OF OUR MISSING AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE LIGHTED CANDLE REFLECTS OUR HOPE FOR THEIR RETURN.
(OPTIONAL) THE BOUND TEXT IS A BOOK OF FAITH TO REPRESENT THE STRENGTH GAINED THROUGH DEVOTION TO SUSTAIN THOSE LOST FROM OUR COUNTRY.
THE GLASSES ARE INVERTED - TO SYMBOLIZE THEIR INABILITY TO SHARE A TOAST.
THE CHAIRS ARE/CHAIR IS EMPTY – THEY ARE MISSING. (MOMENT OF SILENCE)
LET US NOW RAISE OUR GLASSES OF WATER IN A TOAST TO HONOR AMERICA’S POW/MIAs, TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM, AND TO THE SAFETY OF ALL NOW SERVING OUR NATION! NOTE: The number of personnel can be varied from one to six. The ceremony can be altered as to the number of hats and personnel. You can place the hats as the latter part of the script is read. And invert the glasses as the script mentions it. # # #
VFWA Department of Oregon Patriotic Instructor
Darlene Wisdom, 2022 - 2023