| POW/MIA TABLE DEDICATION |
TABLE CEREMONY
An optional ceremony, which is very appropriate for banquet settings, is listed below.
Careful attention should be given to the proper layout of the table.
Before we begin our festivities this evening, I would like to recognize our POW/MIAs calling
your attention to this small table which occupies a place of honor near the head table.
The fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks is why we are here
today. They have been referred to as POW/MIAs; we call them Brothers. They are unable
to be with their loved ones and families (tonight) so we join with them in this humble tribute.
This table, it is small – set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his
oppressors.
The table cloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their
country's call to arms.
The single rose - displayed in the vase reminds us of the families and friends of our missing
brothers who keep faith while awaiting their return.
The red ribbon - tied prominently on the vase reminds us of the red ribbons worn on the
lapels and brothers who are not among us tonight.
The place setting – single, alone no friends or family to dine with
A slice of lemon - reminds us of their bitter fate.
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 this night.
The chair is empty - they are not here.
The candle - reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to light the way home;
away from their captors to the open arms of a grateful nation.
The Bible – Represents the strength gained thought faith to sustain those lost from us, from
our country, founded as one nation under God.
Let us pray to the Supreme Commandant that all our brothers will soon again be among our
ranks.
REMEMBER
La Societe POW/MIA Place Setting Ceremony
MC-1: "Tonight we have some honored guests who can not be with us, so we remember
them in this way."
(Three raps of the gavel)
"All rise." "Voyageurs, please uncover." (If not already uncovered.) "Please direct your
attention to the place setting in front of the podium. This suggested ceremony calls for
designating a POW/MIA place setting at all luncheons, banquets and memorial services
conducted by La Societe, as a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs
still unaccounted for from all foreign conflicts. Accordingly at this time the Conducteur will
advance to light the candle."
The Counducteur slowly advances toward the table setting where he will pause and wait for
the que,
"As the Conducteur lights the candle"(given by the MC).
MC-1: "A reminder for us all to spare no effort to secure the release of any American
prisoners from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died bravely in defense
of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing in action. As the Conducteur lights the
candle I will explain the symbolism of the POW/MIA Place Setting."
The Conducteur slowly executes the lighting of the candle, comes to attention, turns to face
the POW/MIA chair and executes slow salute.
MC-2: "The table."
MC-1: "The table is small, symbolizing the helplessness of one person, alone against his
oppressors."
MC-2: "The cloth."
MC-1: "The table cloth is white for the purity of their intentions in responding to their
Country's call to arms.
MC-2: "The bread plate."
MC-1: "A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate, and there is
salt, symbolic of the tears shed by those who wait."
MC-2: "The rose."
MC-1: "The single red rose in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones who have
kept faith, awaiting the return of our POW/MIAs."
MC-2: "The ribbon."
MC-1: "The red ribbon, tied so prominently around the vase, represents the red ribbon
worn upon the lapels and breasts of thousands who bear witness to our Nations' unyielding
determination to demand a proper accounting of our POW/MIAs."
MC-2: "The candle."
MC-1: "The candle is the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way
home, out of the hands of their oppressors an in to the arms of a grateful Nation."
MC-2: "The glass."
MC-1: "The glass is inverted, for they can not toast with us tonight."
MC-2: "The chair."
MC-1: "The chair is empty, for they are not here."
MC-2: “The Bible”
MC-1: “Represents the strength gained thought faith to sustain those lost from our
country, founded as one nation under God.”
The Conducteur turns to face the candle.
MC-1: "Remember, we all called them comrades, brothers, sisters, and friends. Do not let
them be forgotten, for surely they have not forgotten us. We will now pause for a moment of
silence in honor of our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action."
Conducteur observes moment of silence, execute about face and returns to his station.
(NOTE: MC1 and MC2 may be combined for one speaker or expanded up to include MC9
to facilitate wider participation by the membership. The POW/MIA chair cover, or flag, must
be in place prior to beginning Place Setting ceremony.)
An optional ceremony, which is very appropriate for banquet settings, is listed below.
Careful attention should be given to the proper layout of the table.
Before we begin our festivities this evening, I would like to recognize our POW/MIAs calling
your attention to this small table which occupies a place of honor near the head table.
The fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks is why we are here
today. They have been referred to as POW/MIAs; we call them Brothers. They are unable
to be with their loved ones and families (tonight) so we join with them in this humble tribute.
This table, it is small – set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his
oppressors.
The table cloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their
country's call to arms.
The single rose - displayed in the vase reminds us of the families and friends of our missing
brothers who keep faith while awaiting their return.
The red ribbon - tied prominently on the vase reminds us of the red ribbons worn on the
lapels and brothers who are not among us tonight.
The place setting – single, alone no friends or family to dine with
A slice of lemon - reminds us of their bitter fate.
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 this night.
The chair is empty - they are not here.
The candle - reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to light the way home;
away from their captors to the open arms of a grateful nation.
The Bible – Represents the strength gained thought faith to sustain those lost from us, from
our country, founded as one nation under God.
Let us pray to the Supreme Commandant that all our brothers will soon again be among our
ranks.
REMEMBER
La Societe POW/MIA Place Setting Ceremony
MC-1: "Tonight we have some honored guests who can not be with us, so we remember
them in this way."
(Three raps of the gavel)
"All rise." "Voyageurs, please uncover." (If not already uncovered.) "Please direct your
attention to the place setting in front of the podium. This suggested ceremony calls for
designating a POW/MIA place setting at all luncheons, banquets and memorial services
conducted by La Societe, as a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs
still unaccounted for from all foreign conflicts. Accordingly at this time the Conducteur will
advance to light the candle."
The Counducteur slowly advances toward the table setting where he will pause and wait for
the que,
"As the Conducteur lights the candle"(given by the MC).
MC-1: "A reminder for us all to spare no effort to secure the release of any American
prisoners from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died bravely in defense
of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing in action. As the Conducteur lights the
candle I will explain the symbolism of the POW/MIA Place Setting."
The Conducteur slowly executes the lighting of the candle, comes to attention, turns to face
the POW/MIA chair and executes slow salute.
MC-2: "The table."
MC-1: "The table is small, symbolizing the helplessness of one person, alone against his
oppressors."
MC-2: "The cloth."
MC-1: "The table cloth is white for the purity of their intentions in responding to their
Country's call to arms.
MC-2: "The bread plate."
MC-1: "A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate, and there is
salt, symbolic of the tears shed by those who wait."
MC-2: "The rose."
MC-1: "The single red rose in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones who have
kept faith, awaiting the return of our POW/MIAs."
MC-2: "The ribbon."
MC-1: "The red ribbon, tied so prominently around the vase, represents the red ribbon
worn upon the lapels and breasts of thousands who bear witness to our Nations' unyielding
determination to demand a proper accounting of our POW/MIAs."
MC-2: "The candle."
MC-1: "The candle is the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way
home, out of the hands of their oppressors an in to the arms of a grateful Nation."
MC-2: "The glass."
MC-1: "The glass is inverted, for they can not toast with us tonight."
MC-2: "The chair."
MC-1: "The chair is empty, for they are not here."
MC-2: “The Bible”
MC-1: “Represents the strength gained thought faith to sustain those lost from our
country, founded as one nation under God.”
The Conducteur turns to face the candle.
MC-1: "Remember, we all called them comrades, brothers, sisters, and friends. Do not let
them be forgotten, for surely they have not forgotten us. We will now pause for a moment of
silence in honor of our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action."
Conducteur observes moment of silence, execute about face and returns to his station.
(NOTE: MC1 and MC2 may be combined for one speaker or expanded up to include MC9
to facilitate wider participation by the membership. The POW/MIA chair cover, or flag, must
be in place prior to beginning Place Setting ceremony.)
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