Traditions of the Stars & Stripes Division

Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony
Moderator:
As you entered the dining area, you may have noticed a table at the front, raised to call your attention to its purpose -- it is reserved to honor our missing loved comrades.
The empty places represent our men missing from each of the five services - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard. This Honors Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit.

Some here today/tonight were very young when the Vietnam War began; however, all Americans should never forget our brave men and women who answered our nation's call and served the cause of freedom in a special way.

As the Honor Guard places one of the five service covers or a civilian cap on each empty plate, I would like to ask you to consider their sacrifices, followed by a moment of silent prayer.

Honor Guard:
(In silence or with dignified, reverent music as background, the Honor Guard moves into position around the table and simultaneously places one of the service covers, of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, or a civilian hat, on each empty dinner plate at each table setting. The Honor Guard then departs.)

Moderator:
Please be seated…I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.
The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our men still missing.

The cloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, awaiting answers.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted - to symbolize their inability to share this evening's toast.
The chairs are empty - they are missing.
Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America's POW/MIA's and to the success of our efforts to account for them.

The Stars and Stripes division has grown, since it's begining, into a close-knit group, almost a second family. And as any family does, we have our traditions.

One of our proudest traditions is the Empty Man Table, which we observe during our annual awards ceremony in December.

This is a profound symbol, used in many military settings, which honors those missing from various conflicts and wars.

We offer the text below, and our sincerest thanks to those who uphold the freedoms we enjoy.