TPS honors POW⁄MIA day

Every year on the third Friday in September National POW⁄MIA Recognition Day is held across the country to commemorate the sacrifices of American service members who were held prisoner of war or who went missing in action. This annual observance has been practiced since the early 70s and became a presidential proclamation in 1995.

On Sept. 19, the staff at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School observed this somber day with a ‘‘Missing Man” table. The table is a symbolic reference to remind Americans that since World War II there are more than 84,000 men and women from all branches of the military, Coast Guard and civilians who remain unaccounted for.

The small round table is set for one and symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors. The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.

The single rose reminds us of the families and friends and of our missing brothers who keep faith while awaiting their return. The red ribbon tied prominently on the vase reminds us of comrades who are not among us today.

A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. Salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God. The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope that lives in our hearts to light the way home, away from their captors to the open arms of a grateful nation.

The glass is inverted because they cannot toast with us and the chair is empty because they are not here.

The POW⁄MIA flag stands as a symbol to honor all American POWs and MIAs. The flag was designed in 1971 when Mary Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW⁄MIAs.

Centered on the flag is the emblem of the league, a white disk bearing a black silhouette of the bust of a man, a watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire. Above the disk are the white letters POW and MIA framing a white 5-point star; below the disk is a black and white wreath above the white motto ‘‘You Are Not Forgotten.”