POW/MIA Table Setting
A solemn remembrance of those who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.
POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony
The Missing Man Table (POW/MIA Table)
The small table displayed at many military and veteran gatherings is known as the Missing Man Table or POW/MIA Table. It serves as a solemn reminder of our service members who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.
Each item on the table represents the emotions, sacrifices, and enduring remembrance of those who have not returned.
The White Tablecloth
The white tablecloth symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The Single Red Rose
The red rose reminds us of the lives of these Americans and the loved ones who keep the faith while awaiting their return.
The Yellow Ribbon
The yellow ribbon tied around the vase represents the continued determination to account for those who remain missing.
The Slice of Lemon
The lemon slice reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
The Pinch of Salt
The salt symbolizes the tears of families who wait and remember.
The Inverted Glass
The glass is placed upside down because the missing are not here to share a toast with us today.
The Empty Chair
The empty chair represents the absence of those who are not with us today.