America's White Table

America's White Table

Articles - 1

Veteran's Day Articles --
Those who set the table

    The State (Columbia, SC)
November 16, 2006
LEZLIE PATTERSON

WHITE TABLE HELPS STUDENTS REMEMBER SOLDIERS' SACRIFICES
It's just a children's picture book. . . .

     But "America's White Table" by Margot Theis Raven packs a powerful message that lingers with children and has tears brimming in the eyes of adults.

Fifth-graders at Ballentine Elementary shared this message with their school this past week to celebrate Veterans Day, offering young students a visual reminder of the sacrifices made by men and women who serve our country in the military and how those sacrifices impact the families they leave behind.

"We wanted it to be a veteran's celebration all week," said Paulette Moses, a fifth-grade teacher.

Following the book, fifth-graders set a small, white table in the school entrance. The table included reminders that many soldiers are unable to join family dinners.

Setting the empty, white table actually is an established custom among military families but unfamiliar to many others.

In the book, Raven starts many pages with, "It was just a little white table," but went on to explain the impact it had on the children in the family and the uncle who was a Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war.

Jamie Mason, a fifth-grader, liked the way the children in the book tried to find ways to honor their uncle.

"One of them wrote out the words to 'My Country 'Tis Of Thee,'" she said.

It was just a little, white table from a children's picture book. . . .

But the little, white table that sat in middle of the main corridor at Ballentine had an impact on students and teachers who passed it several times a day.


Brandon Plemmons, a fifth-grader, said several of his friends asked him about the table.

"And I would explain what everything meant," Brandon said.

Such as:

* The small table that symbolizes one soldier's lonely battle against many

* The white candle for peace

* The white cloth that honors a soldier's pure heart when our country calls to duty

* The lemony salt that shows a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for his return

* The empty chair for missing soldiers

* Turned-over glass for the meal that won't be eaten

* The black napkin for the sorrow of captivity

* And the red rose or ribbon for the hope that all missing soldiers will return someday

Fifth-graders explained each symbol during the school's morning television show.

"We got to be aired on the announcements and let everyone know we should honor (the military and veterans) because they've given so much to us," Elena Martin said.

Moses hopes students realize that remembering those serving, past and present, is something that should be done every day.

"This is what's going on," Moses said. "These people are sacrificing so much. . . This is a way of saying, 'Thank you for serving. Thank you for sacrificing.'"

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America's White Table Articles

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

(Columbus, GA)

November 23, 2005

IN COMMEMORATION OF VETERANS DAY at East Columbus Magnet Academy, our media specialist, Elizabeth VanPate, read "America's White Table" to students. As part of this activity, students set a table following the symbolic ways described by Margot Theis Raven in the book. The White Tablecloth is to honor a soldier's pure heart.

A lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and tears of families waiting for their return.

An empty chair for the missing soldiers who are not there.

The black napkin represents the sorrow of captivity.

The overturned glass for the meal that will not be eaten.

The white candle is for peace.

A red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all of our missing will return someday.

Finally to show what each man and woman of the armed forces is to all of us, in the grains of salt on the plate the word HERO is written.

Following the setting of the table, Sgt. 1st Class Todd E. Johnson of the United States Army spoke to each group of students.

Contributed by Jacqueline Brantley

Hutchinson Leader (MN)

November 13, 2008

DOUG HANNEMAN; Editor

HONORING VETERANS

First-graders in Lisa Rasmussen's class at West Elementary learned the importance of honoring veterans by setting a table for them

Lisa Rasmussen's first-grade class at West Elementary School in Hutchinson observed Veterans Day Tuesday by setting a white table.

Her students learned that the white table is set in many mess halls and veterans clubs as a symbol to remember service members fallen, missing or held captive in the line of duty.

Rasmussen began her lesson by reading the book, "America's White Table," written by Margot Theis Raven and illustrated by Mike Benny. The text describes the white table tradition.

She then instructed her students to do exactly as the book said. One by one, the students walked solemnly down West's hallway with a table, chair, utensils, table cloth and other table items. When they arrived at the lunch room, they set the table for dinner, as described in the book.

The book's main characters, Mama, Katie and her sisters, explained how it should be done: It was just a little white table ... but it felt as big as America when we helped Mama put each item on it and she told us why it was so important.

"We use a Small Table, girls," she explained first, "to show one soldier's lonely battle against many. We cover it with a White Cloth to honor a soldier's pure heart when he answers his country's call to duty."

"We place a Lemon Slice and Grains of Salt on a plate to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return," she continued.

"We push an Empty Chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here ..."

Rasmussen said she first read the book a couple years ago. "I said this year I'm going to do it because the kids needs to learn about this," she said.

Veterans Day observances elsewhere

Veterans Day honors all veterans who served honorably in the military. Elsewhere in Hutchinson, veterans organizations observed the holiday in many ways.

At three public schools, veterans and guests, including Minnesota Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson, remembered veterans with special programs including a flag folding ceremony conducted by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad with assistance from the Boy Scouts.

At Prince of Peace Retirement Living, attendees heard a speech by Hutchinson American Legion Vice Commander Bruce Bjerklund.

At the American Legion, an evening program featured a potluck dinner and speech by Anderson.

On Monday, at Hutchinson Technology Inc., a flag raising ceremony celebrated the 233rd anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps.

Marine Corps SSgt. Bradley Rusher with the Marine career center in Hutchinson perform the duties of raising the flag.

THE STUDENTS TOOK TURNS setting the table with a plate, glass (intentionally set upside down because it wouldn't be used), utensils and other items. Each item symbolizes something important for remembering veterans.

RASMUSSEN read from the book "America's White Table," which describes the American military tradition of setting a table for service members not able to be at the meal.

WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER LISA RASMUSSEN and her students placed a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.

New Hampshire Union Leader

(Manchester, NH)

November 10, 2006

JOHN WHITSON

Union Leader Staff

Students set Veterans Day 'white table'

MANCHESTER -- Students at Highland-Goffe's Falls Elementary School have set a table for Veterans Day.

It's a small round table placed in the hallway outside the main office. It's draped in white cloth, has one place setting and one chair. No one will ever sit there.

The table and everything on it are part of a tradition embraced shortly after the Vietnam War but not widely known outside military families.

White tables are in veterans halls across the nation as a reminder of America's missing in action and prisoners of war.

"You'll find them at NCO clubs all over the country when you visit," said Jim Paul, Highland-Goffe's Falls principal, himself a U.S. Army veteran. "It's part of the culture now."

After reading "America's White Table" by Margot Theis Raven last week, students in Charlene Kurtz' fourth-grade class decided to make the tradition part of their school's culture for Veterans' Day.

"I think we should set the table because they want to be remembered, and they did something special for us," said 10-year-old Rory Burke. "They gave us their lives."

Kurtz said she happened upon the poignant book by chance while shopping at Barnes & Noble. The store agreed to donate the book toward a school fundraiser, but after reading it Kurtz made other plans.

"I didn't want to just share this with 22 kids," she said. "I wanted the whole school to know about it."

The book is now making the rounds from class to class, and the bookstore has agreed to donate it as a permanent addition to the school library.

After Kurtz' class read and discussed the book, members decided they wanted to make a veterans table of their own. As outlined in the book, each item on the table is symbolic.

The table itself is small to symbolize a soldier's lonely battle, and it is covered with white cloth to portray a pure heart. On the table is an overturned glass for the meal that won't be eaten, a candle for peace, a black napkin for the sorrow of captivity and a red rose for hope that the missing will return.

On the single white plate is a lemon wedge and salt, symbolizing the bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to come home.

Hanna Kierstead, 9, said the white table project made her think hard about what her grandfathers, both deceased veterans, experienced as military men.

"It actually made me realize how special they are to me," she said.

Nine-year-old Bobby Cipolla explained the tradition to his family, and now the Cipollas have a white table set up in their home for Veterans Day, he said.

With the nation at war, military service has become a concrete idea for Manchester schoolchildren.

The city lost one of its own Tuesday when Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan McCaughn was killed in Iraq. McCaughn, 19, was a Central High School student just five months ago.

When asked how many in Kurtz' class of 22 know of someone serving overseas, seven children raised their hands.

Rajhan Ferrier, 10, was too shy to put his hand up, but it should have been higher than the rest. "R.J." is a new member of the class, having just moved to Manchester to live with his aunt and uncle. His mother serves in the U.S. Army and is leaving soon for Kuwait, said Kurtz.

Reading the book aloud Wednesday, Kurtz' students sat nearby and listened again to words they'd practically committed to memory.

The story is narrated by a woman who explains the white table tradition and how it relates to their visiting uncle John and his time spent as a POW in Vietnam.

At the end of the dinner, the youngsters and their uncle warmly embrace. The children express their hope that all Americans set up a white table on Veterans Day.

The Destin Log (Destin, FL)

November 10, 2007

Keri Holt

Place for missing man kept at the table

Nov. 10--A place setting for one arranged on a small table sat in the Destin Elementary School cafeteria this week.

No one used its single chair, its empty plate, its turned-over glass. No one bothered the red rose, the black napkin, the lemon slice or the salt. The students and faculty couldn't, for it wasn't intended for them. It was meant for another, a guest who will never show.

It's just a little white table, the children learned last week, yet for the meaning it holds, it's as big as America.

From the book "America's White Table," by Margot Theis Raven, they learned what the table symbolically says:

"Remember us please. We are real people ... who left families and friends, homes and dreams of our own to protect your birthright of liberty from disappearing as easily as sunlight from a glass."

In honor of Veterans Day, similar tables are set up in military dining halls across the country. They're known as the Missing Man Table, Literacy Coach Sharon Goree and Media Specialist Kathy Clark taught the Destin children. As they explained the meaning, Goree and Clark read "America's White Table" aloud to the students on Wednesday and showed them how to set their own table.

The book explains the little-known tradition of the Missing Man Table that originated during the Vietnam War as a symbol of remembrance to service members held as POW or MIA. White tables have been set up at mess halls and military events for 30 years.

In the book, a 10-yearold girl learns of her Uncle John's previous experiences as a POW, and her mother teaches her how to set up a white table to honor veterans like Uncle John. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit for it is the missing soldier's place setting.

In the book, the little girl spelled out "hero" in the salt.

After Wednesday's lesson, the children of Destin Elementary School dined among their own Missing Man Table on Thursday and Friday in their cafeteria.

"This Veterans Day, I want you all to remember the veterans, and the best thing you can do is call them and thank them for protecting our country and our freedom," Clark told the students.

To see more of The Destin Log or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.destin.com/.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

GENERAL Articles --

White Table and MIA/POW Day.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:The great article below did so much to spread the word about setting a White Table for Veteran's Day in honor of America's selfless heroes. The article ran nationally in newspapers all across the country.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St Louis, MO)

May 29, 2005

BRUCE SMITH

The Associated Press

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.

The table is set with a white tablecloth, a black napkin and white candle, and a plate with a slice of lemon and salt. An empty chair leans against the table.

The tradition, little known to the general public, of setting an empty table with a white tablecloth in remembrance of prisoners of war and those missing in action had its beginnings with a group of fighter pilots who flew in Vietnam.

But what was started by the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association -- the so-called River Rats of Vietnam -- has, during the intervening years, spread to other branches of the military where remembrance tables, or so-called missing-man tables, are set when units or commands gather for dinners or reunions.

This Memorial Day, the story of the remembrance table will become a little better known with the publication of the children's picture book "America's White Table."

"It's really thanking everyone who served -- not just Vietnam, it has gone beyond that," said Tom Hanton, 60, a former fighter pilot who spent nine months as a POW in Vietnam. "It applies to those serving right now in Iraq and Afghanistan and all around the world."

The book's author, Margot Theis Raven of Mount Pleasant, said she would like to see white table become a tradition for all Americans, just like putting out the flag on Independence Day.

"Be it Memorial Day or Veterans Day or the Fourth of July, that's the point," she said. "The point is every single day of freedom is brought to you by that person who is not sitting there."

The 32-page hardcover book in a 9 1/2-by-11 1/2-inch format has soft, colored acrylic illustrations by Mike Benny, whose work has appeared in Time, The New Yorker and Sports Illustrated. "America's White Table" is his first children's book.

The book tells the story of a little girl who helps her mother set out a remembrance table in her home and how the sight brings tears to the eyes of her uncle who served in Vietnam. For adults, the book provides details of the white table tradition and how it started.

The symbols on the tables may vary depending on the ceremony.

Generally, the tablecloth represents purity of heart, the black napkin the sorrow of captivity and the white candle, peace. The lemon represents the missing soldier's bitter fate and the salt, the tears shed by the families of the missing.

The tradition didn't spread far from the military, perhaps, in part, because of the controversy that surrounded Vietnam.

"It's characteristic of the Vietnam War," said Chuck Jackson, 59, who spent eight months as a POW after his plane was shot down over Vietnam. "It wasn't a war unless you were there. It didn't affect you unless you were there or had someone who was there."

Hanton said, After the war, "the only people who got any sort of recognition were the POWs, which to me was almost embarrassing."

"First of all, I was there only a short period of time, and, second, there were guys who slugged it out in the trenches," he said. "A lot of them died, and many of them got no recognition, and those were a lot worse conditions than I suffered."

Raven, sitting with the veterans in her home, said the book "talks about people who didn't come home. But in essence, none of you came home."

Said Jackson, "Everybody came home minus something. The general public didn't really want to recognize Vietnam -- what went on there, the good and the bad."

That has been changing.

Raven was scheduled to read her book at a Memorial Day weekend combined meeting in Washington of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association and NAM-POWS, the Vietnam War prisoner of war association.

Next month, Vietnam veterans will receive a special tribute in Branson, Mo., featuring a parade, flyovers by vintage aircraft and music from the Doobie Brothers, Tony Orlando and the Four Tops.

In July, during a ceremony at the replica of a Vietnam Naval Support Base at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, Raven again will read from the book. During that event, which will feature veterans and POWs, Gov. Mark Sanford's sons are expected to set a white remembrance table.

Raven would like to see the tradition of the white table spread to homes and restaurants across the nation.

The table is "the most important image we can ever have, and it's not political," she said. "Even the flag can get politicized. This has no party and no agenda except that a person said 'yes' to duty, and that is always to be honored."

The Post and Courie, (Charleston, SC)

July 3, 2005

BILL THOMPSON, The Post and Courier Staff

Author Raven writes of symbol for fallen, missing soldiers

Margot Theis Raven is humbled by the experience of writing "America's White Table." Gratified, too. The Charleston-based author has dealt with any number of serious topics, thoughtfully and elegantly, in her series of children's books. But this one staked out a special niche in her heart.

Produced for children, but of significance to all readers, the book shares the tradition of the white table, a 30-year-old practice that has served in mess halls and at military events as a symbol of remembrance "for service members fallen, missing or held captive in the line of duty."

"This book totally came through me," says Raven, at home during a lull in her current book tour. "I really felt like I was a vehicle or vessel for the message the book tries to convey, and glad to be used that way. I allowed my heart to take on those things we had not always acknowledged: that there were good people who served in the military who had not been thanked."

Or, as Raven succinctly puts it: This day of freedom is brought to you by someone willing to put his life on the line.

"So when I really grasped that and how important it was to say thank you for our liberties, the book started to write itself. There's so much hurt, and it's been in place for so long since Vietnam, that it takes a massive concentration of your own sense of working toward something good to not get discouraged. Hurt can be so easy to hold on to. It was a privilege to be able to remove myself from the controversial elements of that time, as well as current events, and devote myself to what needed to be said."

Raven will read from her book Saturday during Come to the Table, a white-table observation that will be held 10 a.m.-noon at the Vietnam Base Camp at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Veterans and former POWs from each branch of the military who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq will be on hand. The public may attend.

Among the featured speakers will be retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Tom Mikolajcik and retired Marine Corps Gen. James Livingston, a Medal of Honor recipient, as well as former Vietnam POWs Tom Hanton and Chuck Jackson, on whose experiences Raven's book partly is based. All but Hanton, a Washington, D.C., resident, hail from the Lowcountry.

"Tom Hanton and Chuck Jackson were cellmates in the Hanoi Hilton," recalls Raven. "It was through Chuck that I was introduced to Tom and his individual story, which will be the basis for another book I plan to do, which should be out within the next two years."

"America's White Table" is an indirect outgrowth of a book Raven had written previously, "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot," subtitled "A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy That Dropped From the Sky." It centered on a U.S. Air Force pilot who was involved in the airlift.

"When we did a re-creation of that event here in 2002 with a candy drop, I got involved with Air Force personnel. Through that association, I was given the great honor to be an honorary commander at the Charleston Air Force Base, part of a civilian outreach program. That led me to be invited to certain events that civilians usually don't get to attend."

One such event was the 2002 Air Force Ball, where Raven first set eyes on an MIA/POW (missing in action/prisoner of war) table, also called the Missing Man Table.

"It is the small table set for one person ... who isn't there. Gen. Mikolajcik's wife took my arm that night and led me over to the table and explained the importance of it. It was such a solitary- looking entity in this large ballroom with maybe 1,200 people in attendance that it spoke the loudest as a symbol. Every single person there that night was serving their country, but that person not at the table had served the country to the fullest."

For some time, Raven had wanted to deal with such an issue in one of her books, but hadn't decided what it would be. Shortly after the Air Force Ball, she received a call from her publisher at Sleeping Bear Press, who said she needed a book for Memorial Day.

"She didn't know what the hook would be," says Raven, who in addition to her books has written for radio, television, newspapers and magazines. "I said, 'I just saw it.' Then I explained to her about this small table set for one. She was stunned. That set it in motion.

"Through doing this book, I met a lot of men who had been prisoners of war in Vietnam, the ones who had been held at the Hanoi Hilton and best exemplified the spirit of that white table. They are the most ordinary, calm, generous and really well-balanced individuals I have ever met. Some who had it the worst came back so grateful for simple things. They are great men. That's why the book came to be. We can't forget these people."

It is important to remember that there is no political component to the white table's aggregate of symbols: a white table cloth signifying purity of intentions, candle, inverted glass, single rose in a vase, bread plate containing a piece of bread and a slice of lemon, the last reminding us of the bitter fate of the POW/MIAs.

Finally, there is a small mound of salt representing the families' tears as they wait for loved ones to come home.

"The book does not address the issue of whether or not one agrees with what's happening today, or even with Vietnam or Korea. We are honoring those who said 'yes' to their country's call. It is very pure and very clean. I think we needed those symbols because even our flag can get muddied with political agendas."

The book is illustrated by Mike Benny of Austin, Texas.

With six books in print and six more in the works, Raven, who has been showered with awards for her work, has no plans to take a break. She is as energized and as passionate as ever.

Just out, and coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Little League World Series, is "Let Them Play" (Sleeping Bear Press), Raven's book on the all-black Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars of Charleston, a team what was denied the right to play in the World Series by the prejudices prevailing in 1955.

As always, the challenge of writing children's books never lessens.

"I don't think I've ever found anything harder to do. It's like writing 'War and Peace' in Haiku. Kids don't allow you one more word than is necessary. Adult readers will give you more latitude and allow you to meander. The writing for kids has to be very specific, but said in a poetic way. It is quite a challenge."

National MIA/POW Day

Observences --

Setting White Table Articles

The News-Times, (Danbury, CT)

September 18, 2005

Remember those left behind in war

Friday, Sept. 16, was National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a national day of remembrance for our unrecovered prisoners of war and those missing in action.

There is a wonderful new children's picture book, "America's White Table," by Margot Theis Raven. The symbolism of the white table is woven into a beautifully illustrated, very touching story.

A young girl learns of her uncle's experiences as a POW in Vietnam as her family prepares a tribute to him and, thus, learns of those who have not yet returned to their loved ones.

Just last month, on Aug. 13, the family of POW/MIA Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Fritsch, missing in action since May 10, 1968, welcomed him home for burial in his hometown. We rejoice with families who are finally able to welcome their loved ones home for a proper burial.

We, as a nation, must also focus our energy and efforts upon our unrecovered prisoners of war.

Pvt. Keith Maupin was last seen alive on videotape after having been captured alive in Iraq on April 9, 2004.

We must hold the Iraqis accountable for the resolution of Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher from Desert Storm, who survived the shootdown on Jan. 17, 1991.

Just as foreign nationals have survived decades after the cessation of hostilities to return to their homelands, Americans, too, have the ability to survive in closed societies decades after the cessation of hostilities.

POW/MIA Connecticut Forget-Me-Nots strongly believes an international no-fault policy is needed to find our unrecovered POWs of World War II, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf. We must bring them home to enjoy the freedoms they fought to preserve.

Copyright, 2005, The News-Times (Danbury, CT)

The New Milford Spectrum, (New Milford, CT)

September 16, 2005

To the Editor:

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a National Day of Remembrance for our unrecovered prisoners of war and those missing in action, is today (Friday).

There is a wonderful new children's picture book, "America's White Table," by Margot Theis Raven.

The symbolism of the white table is woven into a beautifully illustrated, very touching story. A young girl learns of her uncle's experiences as a POW in Vietnam as her family prepares a tribute to him and thus, learns of those who have not yet returned to their loved ones.

Just last month, on Aug. 13, the family of POW/MIA Marine Lance Corporal Thomas W. Fritsch, missing in action since May 10, 1968, welcomed him home for burial in his hometown.

We rejoice with families who are finally able to welcome their loved ones home for a proper burial.

We as a nation must also focus our energy and efforts upon our unrecovered prisoners of war. Private Keith Maupin was last seen alive on videotape after having been captured alive in Iraq on April 9, 2004.

We must hold the Iraqis accountable for the resolution of Captain Michael "Scott" Speicher from Desert Storm who survived the shootdown on Jan. 17, 1991.

POW/MIA CT Forget-Me-Nots strongly believes an international no-fault policy is needed to find our unrecovered POWs of World War II, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf.

We must bring them home to enjoy the freedoms they fought to preserve.

Kathy Shemeley

President

POW/MIA CT

Forget-Me-Nots, Inc.

New Milford

The Examiner

(Independence - Blues Springs - Grain Valley, MO)

October 13, 2007

Cynthia L. Horn

Never forget the POWs and MIAs

Although the third Friday of September is the official "POW/MIA Recognition Day," you may remember POW/MIA's any day you would like.

To remember the men and women who gave their life for our freedom, a POW/MIA pin or bracelet, may be worn. These may be purchased at a military surplus store. Black and white, the color of the POW/MIA flag, may also be worn. The POW/MIA flag is to be flown at government offices, fire stations, major military installations, national cemeteries, veteran facilities, and schools.

Another activity is to read the story about the history of the POW/MIA flag on the Internet. A candlelight ceremony may be held, or read aloud a book called, "America's White Table" by Margot Theis Raven about the symbols in the "Missing Man Honors Ceremony." A yellow ribbon could be tied to your door or your yard light.

Another thing you could do is to talk to a member of the Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group, which was formed to educate the public about those missing in action. If you know an ex- POW, it would be educational to talk to him, if he is willing to share his experiences. It would also be appropriate for you to thank him for sacrificing so much so we may have so much abundance and security.

At this year's official observance, Sept. 21, President Bush issued a proclamation at the Pentagon, reminding the nation of those Americans who have sacrificed so much for our country. He also placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

"We have 15 ex-Prisoners of War from World II and the Korean War still living in Independence," according to Ed Slater, ex-POW. He and the Heart of America Ex-Prisoners of War Association have written a book called, "Ex-Prisoners of War, Stories of Faith, Integrity and Courage." I encourage adults to read it. It may be found at the local library.

In Independence, Samuel K. Toomey III was killed in action in Laos-Vietnam in 1968 but was missing in action for years. He was on the Junior High (Palmer) Varsity team in Independence. Charles R. Long was Missing in Action in the Korean War for six months. He was the manager at the Byam Theater in Fairmount and had also fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Raymond Necessary was Missing in Action in Pearl Harbor in the USS Arizona. It is believed he was Independence's first casualty in World War II. He was missing for several months until they finally realized he wouldn't return. "Raymond was a musical genius on the violin," according to an article by The K.C. Star on Dec. 5, 1991.

Nearly 80 years after the end of World War I, 4,452 men are still missing. More than 78,773 men are missing from World War II.

More than 123 from the Cold War and more than 8,100 men are missing from the Korean War. More than 1,773 are missing from the Vietnam War and three from the Gulf War.

Navy Pilot Captain Scott Speicher, a Kansas City native, has been missing since the 1991 Gulf War in Desert Storm. Four men are Missing in Action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

There have been eight POWs recovered. A large number of nurses, doctors, missionaries, journalists, civilian contractors and others were captured and known to be POWs, yet never returned, according to Aug. 26, 2007, statistics from www.allpowmia.com/stts.html.

Occasionally, World War II pilots' bodies are discovered in the frozen tundra. Vietnam, Russia and Korea also find evidence of missing men and return them. This offers families the knowledge they need and they don't have to wait to hear about their loved one any longer.

In May, 1995, a new 32-cent postage stamp was designed with two military identification tags, embossed with the words "POW & MIA Never Forgotten," in front of the American flag.

We must never forget those who are Missing in Action or who are Prisoners of War.

More Veteran's Day Articles using The White Table

Lewiston Morning Tribune (Lewiston, ID)

May 26, 2008

DAVID JOHNSON

The table's set for those who still linger in our memories: Princeton cafe's Memorial Day display has 'ghostly' appearance

PRINCETON - The table with its white tablecloth is set for one. But no one sits in the chair. No one dines. No one drinks from the inverted wine glass. No one lights the candle. No one reads from the Bible. No one smells the roses.

Many people, however, walk away from the remembrance table fighting back tears.

"The reactions from the older people are emotional," said Sherry Kinman. "Very emotional."

Kinman, owner of Sherry's Country Gas Mart in this unincorporated Latah County hamlet, said she got the idea to set a remembrance table for Memorial Day from John and Wanda Milbert.

"I'd never heard of it," Kinman said of the military dining table tradition that started in the Vietnam era to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action. "When I read about it, I was so moved. So I agreed to go ahead and set the table and I'm really glad I did."

Kinman's setting, which came together about three weeks ago, will remain through today.

"It's very ghostly," she said of how the remembrance table sits amid the other tables in the cafe portion of her business where eating, laughing and visiting have been part of the menu for more than seven years.

"We've had so many people stop and look. A lot of them walked away with tears in their eyes. It brings back so many memories."

The remembrance table tradition received a boost three years ago when author Margot Theis Raven wrote a children's book titled "America's White Table." The book begins with a description that reads: "It was just a little white table ... but it felt as big as America when we helped Mama put each item on it and she told us why it was so important."

Kinman said she tried to follow the same symbolism when setting her remembrance table. She said the supreme compliment came when one of her customers, a man of few words, looked at the table setting, read about its meaning, then looked back at her and said, "It's perfect."

According to the remembrance table tradition outlined in several publications, the symbolism of various setting items is as follows:

Round table, set for one: the never-ending concern for one serviceman alone.

White tablecloth: the purity of responding to the country's call.

Empty chair: depicts the unknown face of those who are not here.

Red rose: for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Yellow rose: for those who are still missing.

White rose: for those who returned alive.

Candle: everlasting hope for a joyous reunion.

Bible: one nation under God.

Slice of lemon: bitter fate.

Salt sprinkled on the plate: tears of families.

Inverted wine glass: for those who can not lift a toast.

Black napkin: emptiness left in the hearts of family members.

American flag: reminder of the supreme sacrifice to ensure freedom.

"I will put it away and save it for next year," Kinman said of the table setting and plans to reassemble the items annually for Memorial Day. "The reactions from older people are emotional, very emotional."

In addition to the remembrance table, Kinman has a small pine box on display that contains World War II memorabilia that belonged to the late Harlin Owens of Princeton, a survivor of the Bataan Death March. "This box was like opening up a time capsule," said Kinman, explaining that in addition to Owens' dog tags, mess kit and other items, the box contained a 1945 copy of a Potlatch Corp. newsletter with an article about Owens and her uncle, the late Edwin Chambers, who also survived the death march.

Kinman also has on display the American flag that draped the coffin of her brother Robert Chambers, who died at the age of 19 in the Vietnam War. His metals are displayed with the flag.

Kinman's daughter, Tia McKinney, and employee Mandy Reynolds, also helped on the displays.

"I never knew the impact it would have," Kinman said of the remembrance table and other items. "It turned out so nice."

Margot Theis Raven

"The world moves forward on the footsteps of little children." Patty S. Hill