Missing Man Table
Ceremony
In honor of POW/MIAs
The Missing Man Table Ceremony
Two versions
Scroll to find “The Missing Man Table Ceremony” audio track & script for one place-setting, representing one POW/MIA alone.
Continue scrolling to find an additional “Mission Man Table Ceremony” audio track and script for six place-settings representaing all branches of our military plus civilians who were captured or became missing in action.
Click to play the Ceremony
Place-setting for one
Narrated by Chaplain Ann M. Wolf
The Ceremony Script
Place-setting for 1
The Missing Man Table Ceremony Script
place-setting for one
Those who have served and those currently serving in branches of our United States military 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 internment.
So, let us pause then, to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s with “The Missing Man Table Ceremony.”
See here a table which has been raised to call attention to its purpose, which is to Honor our missing brothers and sisters 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, Coast Guard, as well as civilians.
These brave men and women answered our nation’s’ call and served the Cause of Freedom. So, this table is a 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); and we call them “BROTHERS and SISTERS.” 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 motive when answering the call to duty.
The napkin is dark, symbolizing the (dark) hearts of some politicians, of enemies of freedom and those who have not tried to bring our soldiers home and who 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 can be seen at the place setting. The inverted glass symbolizes the POW or MIAs’ inability to share in this meal.
There is a chair against the table as though being saved for someone; the empty chair symbolizes that although these ones we recognize now 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 our Father God, that all of our brothers and sisters in arms will soon be back within our ranks… And let us remember and Never Forget their sacrifices. May God forever watch over their souls while protecting their families; and may each of us live worthy of their sacrifice in the way that we love and serve….
Because it is 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 by Ann M. Wolf for the purposes of this narration.
Chaplain Ann M. Wolf's Missing Man Table that she brings with her to her presentations across the USA.
Following Grand Entry at this PoW Wow, Chaplain Ann M. Wolf narrates from the podium while Native American Veterans stand at attention during the KIA/POW/MIA Ceremony.