‘Until every story ends’
by September 18, 2010 3:29 pm 56 views
story and photos by Ruby Dean
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More than 75 family, friends and supporters came out Friday afternoon (Sept. 17) to the Fort Smith National Cemetery to pay their respect to men and women who never returned from foreign wars.
This commemoration is set aside to honor the commitment and the sacrifices made by this nation’s Prisoners of War (POW) and those who are still Missing in Action (MIA). By custom, it is often observed in ceremonies on the third Friday in September.
The POW/MIA Memorial Ceremony message was, "Until every story ends." The phrase is a solemn promise to those who wear the uniform of the United States that they will never be left behind or forgotten.
The stark black and white flag that represents the POW/MIA fluttered in the wind in many locations all over the country to mark the day.
According to the 2009 annual report from Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, a section of the U.S. Department of Defense, there are more than 83,000 service members unaccounted for. The number includes 74,123 unaccounted for from World War II, 8,034 from the Korean War and 1,727 during the war in Vietnam.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 467 Commander Richard Sansom spoke at the Fort Smith ceremony, and provided a summary of the MIA/POW statistics.
John Spruyt, with the Fort Smith National Cemetery, spoke on the symbolization of the empty chair and table that served as a centerpiece for the ceremony. He said table is set for those missing who did not return.
• The table set for one is small and symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.
• The white table cloth symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
• The single rose in the vase symbolizes the families and loved ones who are waiting and keeping faith that they will return.
• The red ribbon on the vase symbolizes the thousands who wear them in their determination to demand a proper accounting for the missing.
• The slice of lemon on the plate symbolizes the bitter fate they face.
• The salt is symbolic of the family’s tears.
• The inverted glass reminds all that they cannot toast with us tonight.
