The Lone Sailor Table- POW/MIA

We recently attended the Navy Seabee Ball. It was soooooo much fun! During the program, they did a tribute to POWs and those are MIA. It was so moving, I thought I'd share it.

The set up is  1 small round table, 1 chair leaning against the table, white table cloth, table set for 1, salt shaker, 1 lemon slice, black vase with yellow ribbon, black napkin, red rose, and a water glass inverted on table.

Those who have served and those currently serving 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 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, deprivation and internment.
• Before we begin our activities this evening, we will pause to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s.
• We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor near the head table. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW’s and MIA’s. We call them comrades.
• They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to there continued absence.
• This table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.
• The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
• The single red rose in the vase, signifies the blood they many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.
• The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.
• A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.
• The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
• The glass is inverted - they cannot toast with us this night.
• The chair is empty - they are not here.
• 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.
• Taps is played and “Some Gave All”


Just thought it was really cool.

Praise to the Man

As I write my book, I listen to hymns to make sure that I am always writing with the spirit. I don't ever want this book to come off as a bitter rant. One of my favorite albums to listen to is the Motab CD, 'Praise to the Man." The title song in particular. Sometimes, I even put it on repeat. It helps me to remember that while I have certainly had my faith and strength tried, I have not had to endure a fraction of what has been asked of some people.

On Sunday, a woman who is dealing with some serious health issues, asked for advice from the women on how to find faith when you feel as though you've been tapped out.  I didn’t have an answer to her question. I don’t know how people stay so faithful. I’ve struggled with the trial of infertility, on top of other issues, for 11 years, and there are times when I let it over shadow my faith. The only thing I can say is that if I didn’t have faith, I can only imagine that would just make our situation worse. I suppose I continue to have faith that the Lord has a plan because if I didn’t, the hopelessness would consume me. I wanted to be able to raise my hand and tell her that I had an answer for her on how to have more faith when yours is running out. Unfortunately, I don’t. I haven’t figured it out yet. I'm still working on accepting the hand I've been dealt and finding the faith to believe it has a greater purpose than I can understand.

But, as I listen to this hymn, I do know that sometimes we have to rely on the faith of others. Let your friends and family hold you up. Find peace and happiness in what has been done for you, especially by those who have come long before you and paved a path for you to follow.

This is why I have chosen to write this story. I struggle with it every time I sit down to add words to these pages. But, someone, someday, somewhere is going to find comfort from my experiences. But, despite the things I've learned, I still struggle to keep my faith, I'm sure it will always be that way. Otherwise, how would I truly appreciate my blessings?

I'll hop down off of my soap box now. I just felt like letting out a little of the emotions clogging my mind. And...maybe I'm procrastinating a little. Back to writing...