Lyrics

The Missing Man Table Ceremony

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 then, 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, of deprivation, or of internment.

Let us pause then, to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s with “The Missing Man Table Ceremony.”
See at the front of your room, a table which has been raised to call attention to its purpose, which is to Honor our missing comrades in arms.

This table set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her oppressors and representing all Americans still missing from each of the five Services: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard as well as civilians.

These brave men and women answered our nation’s’ call and served the Cause of Freedom. This table is a very special way of symbolizing the fact that members of our Armed Forces are missing from our ranks. These ones are referred to as POW’s (or prisoners of war) and MIA’s (or missing in action); but we call them “BROTHERS.” They are unable to be with their loved ones and families here, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence.

Before we begin, let us pause for a moment of silent prayer.

Now let us review the meaning of the items on our Missing Man Table:
The table is round: showing our everlasting concern for our men and women still missing.
The tablecloth is white. The cloth symbolizes the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The napkin is black, symbolizing the black (dark) hearts of some politicians and other leaders in government who haven’t brought our soldiers home and have forgotten them…

A single red rose is displayed in a vase. The red rose reminds us of the life of each of the missing and of their loved ones and close friends who keep the faith and await answers concerning their missing family member or friend.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon which is a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. Although the ribbon has been temporarily broken, it is still firmly in our grasp; and we will continue to search.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt on each bread plate symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

A Bible is placed prominently on the table. The bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country. The United States was founded as “One Nation Under God.”

An inverted glass is placed at the place setting. The inverted glass symbolizes their inability to share in this evening’s meal.

There is a chair tilted forward against the table as though being saved for someone; the empty chair symbolizes that although they are missing, they are not forgotten.

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.

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 sacrifices. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families; and may each of us live worthy of their sacrifice in the way that we love and serve…

In God We Trust and in His Name we pray.…

Additional credits: Soundtrack is composed & performed by Tracy Collins (Ann’s producer).
This Ceremony is in the public domain; this script has been slightly edited and developed for the purposes of this narration by Ann M. Wolf.

Disclaimer from Ann M. Wolf:
About the use of the Bible & mention of God in the Script: The use of the Bible or mention of God in this version of the Missing Man Table Ceremony Script is NOT to exclude or deny any other faith on the planet or to disrespect those who are atheists or those who have no specific faith; it is simply a gesture of love from my heart to yours. POW/MIAs being honored in this ceremony suffered and/or died so that I would have the Freedom to perform this ceremony and so that any listeners could choose to watch or walk away, according to their views. This version has been adapted by myself as a Judeo/Christian Chaplain, and it is my gift of thanks for the sacrifices which obtained my freedom. When I perform this Ceremony, it is offered out of love & respect to the Veteran community and their families (regardless of their faith, race, culture, etc.) who “paid the price” and a price I could never repay except to use my Freedom to try and help or encourage others.

About the wording in the Script: This version of the Ceremony came to me through civic organizations which were performing the Table Ceremony on a regular basis. This version does include the word “comrade” with reference to “fellow service people in the combat zone.” Since this word could have a different meaning to some listeners, I researched the term prior to recording the narration. What I confirmed, is that the definition of the word “comrade,” (according to the dictionaries I consulted when preparing to narrate this video,) is as follows: (1) A person who shares in one’s activities, occupation, etc.; companion, associate, or friend. (2.) A fellow member of a fraternal group, political party, etc. Though there have been times when this word has been used under oppressive regimes, it is a word which clearly has a positive connotation as well, and therefore I left this word in, thereby respecting the heart of the original author who was clearly an American Patriot. No other meaning of the word “comrade” is intended or even implied.

Thank you and sincerely, Chaplain Ann M. Wolf