“At this time, we’d like to call your attention to the ROTC unit located to my left, to your right,” said Dyar. “They have a special ceremony that we always like to include in events of this nature. This is a tribute to the men and women who served, unfortunately, in prisoner of war camps. Many of them are still recorded as missing in action. This is a tribute to the memory of those men and women.”
Members of the Walhalla High School JROTC then performed the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action ceremony.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the center of our gathering. This table is set for our prisoners of war and those missing in action from all wars. They are not with us today. Their chairs are empty but saved for their awaited return. Let us remember their absence.
“The tablecloth. It is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. Remember.
“Set for six. The empty places represent our men and women missing from each of the five services, Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard, and civilian. This honor ceremony symbolizes that they are with us here in spirit. Remember.
“The table. It is set small, symbolizing the frailty of a prisoner alone against his oppressors.
“A slice of lemon. It is set on the plate to remind us of their bitter fate if we do not bring them home.
“There is salt, symbolic of their family’s tears as they wait for their return. Remember.
“The American flag. It reminds us that many may never return home and have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom. Remember.
“The faded picture. It is set on the table as a reminder that they will be longed for greatly and will always be remembered.
“The Bible. It represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded ‘one nation under God.’ Remember.
“The red rose. Displayed in a vase to remind us of each life that is missing and their loved ones and friends who remained hopeful when circumstances seemed hopeless.
“The red ribbon. It is tied on the vase, reminiscent of our unyielding determination to demand a proper account for our missing.
“The yellow ribbon. It represents the yellow ribbon worn by thousands awaiting their return. Remember.
“The glass. It is inverted. They cannot toast with us tonight.
“The candle. Its reminiscent light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home away from their captors to open arms of a grateful nation.
“The black ribbon. It is on the candle to remind us of those who will not be coming home. Remember.
“The chair. It is empty. They cannot be with us today. Remember.
“To those who served so honorably, who are lost or as of yet unaccounted for, to our comrades who gave their tomorrows for our todays, please let them never be forgotten.”
Dyar then addressed Colonel Kevin Mangan, from the Walhalla High School Army JROTC department. “Colonel Mangan, you and members of your ROTC organization, thank you for being a special part of our ceremony this morning.”
Photographs in the slideshow below by Karen Brewer, The Christian View magazine