| | America's White Table 
No matter how a family feels about war or the military, this book will increase awareness of the sacrifice of soldiers, and the plight of the missing and the prisoners, and will offer an entry point for discussion, as well as a sensitive ritual of remembrance. Forward Magazine Book Review |
| In honor of Veteran's Day on November 11, 2008 some students responded America is our home
America is where we live
It is the place we love
We all should love America.
God Bless America
by Brett
Thank you for serving our country.
I hope you go to university.
by James B.
I will pray for my brother-in-law and one of my grandads served in the Revolutionary War.
by Michala
America is the place we love. America should serve who died in Flander Fields. We love America.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
by James
Those who serve our country, Those who risk there life, Those who fight for our freedom, Those who care to have freedom for our country, for the home of the brave.
by Brooks
America is our place and where we celebrate Veteran's Day. We need to thank those who fought in the war and those who died in the war giving up their soul for America. This is our place and no one else's.
by Payton |
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Author's note: The email-letter below is a heartfelt reminder of how The White Table touches many lives... |
| Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 Subject:"America's White Table"
For any of you that were at the 2005 River Rat Reunion, this will have special meaning. Margot Raven, the author of "America's White Table" was there to read her book to us in person. Her publisher provided her with enough copies to give one to everybody in attendance. Of course, a great number of us had her sign our copies.
Anyway, it is indeed heartwarming to get this kind of feedback at this special time of year. I am sure Margot would be touched to hear how her book had an impact on the wife of a Marine warrior. I think that it was also pretty neat that Leanne's father did this for her. John
Dear John, Jordan and I are here in MI visiting my father, who I am sure I have told you, was an AF Para-rescue in Vietnam. We are having a wonderful time, enjoying the snow and family! Jordan is being roundly adored by all. We got a short phone call from JP today, and it was wonderful to hear his voice! We are now waiting for his new orders to appear. I wanted to let you know about something very special that happened today. I got up a bit early, because I needed to finish wrapping Christmas presents. I went downstairs, where the room was lit only by the Christmas tree. I went down to the basement, and finished wrapping, came up and put our presents under the tree. It was then that I noticed an extra light, on a table set off to the side of the room. On it was a pure white linen table cloth, a black napkin, an upside down glass, lemon wedge, and salt. My father handed me a red rose with a red ribbon tied around it, and a book called "America's White Table". On the chair behind it, was a Christmas stocking, with John Paul's name on it. Of course, I was already crying before I even started reading the book. The rose went on the table, as did a few tears. It was such a beautiful monument to my husband, those warriors who went before him, and those that are serving with him now. I was unbelievably moved. I wanted to share that with you, especially after I read the author's notes in the back of the book, which credits the setting of the POW/MIA table to the River rats! It also specifically mentions the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association too. My Dad was surprised and grateful that such an incredible group would take notice of a Gunny and his family. So many wonderful blessings have come our way this year. You and the Casbar are in my prayers, not only to say thank you, but to pray that somehow, the blessings you have all passed our way will be returned to you tenfold. I hope you know how grateful I am to you and yours, for all the support, prayers, and love you have all sent our way. My gratitude will never be enough for all that you have given in love for your Country. But as a wife and mother, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely, Leanne |
 Former Vietnam Prisoner of War signing letters to school children
All Across America schools like the one below are setting a White Table on Veteran's Day to honor all who serve. (see White Table articles page for more moving accounts) | January 15, 2009 KEVIN CALLAHAN - Courier-Post Staff
Table holds place for vets The table wasn't for eating. No, the table in the center of the Evans School cafeteria in Evesham certainly wasn't for chicken fingers and soda. The fully set table with the empty chair was for reflecting. And honoring. The white-clothed table with a place setting honored the men and women who serve in America's armed forces. The table is based on a book about the Vietnam War called "America's White Table" by Margot Theis Raven.
"I know nobody touched this table. That was amazing," school librarian Betty Scola said. "It was like a shrine."
The special table evoked added meaning for brothers Noah and Isaiah Chapman. Their father, Sean Chapman, is a sergeant in the Army and is stationed in Iraq. "He is protecting our country," Isaiah, 11, said. Isaiah and Noah said they were very proud of their dad. "He is serving our country and trying to protect us," Noah, 9, said. Scola read "America's White Table" to the children when the table was set up around Veterans Day. "I wanted the kids to know how important their freedom is. It is important to me," Scola, a graduate of Paul VI High School, said. Scola, 44, just arrived at the Evans School in November after working at the Marlton Middle School. "I had never heard of the tradition before this year, but our previous librarian, Vicki Steffen, introduced it to the students at Evans and we are continuing her tradition," Scola, a Marlton resident, said. "She had always read the book to the students and then set the table. This year I decided to let the children that had parents serving in the armed forces set the table and keep an eye on it throughout the week. They really did a great job keeping the table up." School principal Lou Cassanova served in the Navy from 1965 to 1971. He was a gunfire control technician on the destroyer USS Hank. "I was a veteran and I always wanted to do something around Veterans Day and I expressed that to Mrs. Steffen and she found the book and she found all the symbolism from the book," Cassanova said. Cassanova's two sons, Guy and Lawrence, are combat veterans. Guy, 39, served in the Navy during the Persian Gulf War. Lawrence, 29, served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq in the Army. Cassanova, 63, said the white-table tradition will continue.
"I think it is important that our students are reminded of the armed forces and that it is a volunteer force. Nobody makes them go into the services. They do it because they want to and that is always admirable," Cassanova said.
The table -- with a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate, an empty chair, a black napkin, a glass, a white candle and a red rose -- was filled with symbolism. The small table with a white cloth honors a soldier's pure heart when he or she answers this country's call to duty. A lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate show a captive soldier's bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to return. An empty chair at the table represents the missing soldiers. A black napkin symbolizes the sorrow of captivity. A glass represents the meal that won't be eaten. A white candle is on the table for peace and a red rose is in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all our missing will return someday. The information about the symbolism was read to the school children on the morning of The reading and the table also reminded Allison Hasleton, 9, of a family friend, Gary Cundiff, serving in Afghanistan. "I feel proud. I know someone who serves our country," Allison said. "We have a hundred kids at a time going into lunch and it was in the very center of the room and the kids would come and admire," Cassanova said. "It was pristine." |
Students Set America's White Table for Veteran's Day
Veterans Day - Girl's bright idea pleases parents St. Petersburg Times (FL) November 16, 2006 Today when kids are too busy trying to grow up, they miss the important things that go on in life. My neighbor had given us a book titled America's White Table written by Margot Theis Raven. This book talks about a tradition of white tables being set in America on Veterans Day to honor all women and men who served or are serving in the Armed Forces, with emphasis on the missing, or MIAs, and prisoners of war , or POWs. My 5-year-old daughter Mikayla wanted to read this book (she is a very proficient reader). Needless to say this book made an impression on her young mind. She asked questions, and after I explained a few things to her, she seemed satisfied. Imagine our surprise when she woke up and told us that she wanted us to set a white table for the veterans of war. So I set upon a shopping spree to Publix to get the items we needed for this table. After we helped her set the table, she said a prayer for the soldiers and told us that she wanted to do this every year, which of course pleased us to no end. To think that such a little mind can have so much thought on a matter that people nowadays only see as a day off from work. |
| |  A White Table set in a store window for Veteran's Day
| llustrator Mike Benny BIOGRAPHY Mike Benny is the recipient of two Gold Medals from the Society of Illustrators. His first children's book was America's White Table, by Margot Raven Theis. Mike's illustrations have also appeared in well-known publications such as Time, GQ, The New Yorker, and Sports Illustrated. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, daughter, and son. |
America's White Table Book Awards 2006 Children's Crown Award Nominee A Children's Choice Award 2006 Writers Notes Book Award Notable |
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Reviews For those of you looking to provide your children and grandchildren with positive, patriotic reading, I strongly encourage you to review the following: "“America’s White Table” by Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by Mike Benny, Sleeping Bear Press, 2005, 32 pages
This wonderfully written tribute to many a white table set in mess halls and in military ceremonies, is a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing or held captive in the line of duty.
This is a truly moving tribute by a family to their Uncle John in which Katie and her sisters are asked to set the white table for dinner, as their mother explains the significance of each item placed on the table. Katie comes to appreciate the sacrifice of her uncle and each member of the Armed Forces and their families Ever since the Vietnam War, a white table has been set across America in mess halls and at military events to honor America’s Armed Forces, especially those missing in action and those held prisoner of war. It is a solitary, small table where no one will ever sit. On Veteran’s Day, Mama asks Katie and her sisters to help set this special white table for their family’s dinner. Uncle John was joining them, and the white table held special meaning for him; he had been a POW in Vietnam. As they work, Mama explains what each item set on the table signifies, providing an understanding of the depth of sacrifice of all members of the America’s armed services and their Uncle John. Sensitively written and illustrated, this outstanding book will touch the hearts of young and old alike. Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. |
Students honor our country’s defenders Madison-Park News (MI) November 23, 2005 Audra Quinn; C & G Staff Writer
With a purple heart and a bronze star on his chest, Clarence Alsbach sat in the audience of Webb Elementary during their first Veterans Day presentation, a walking, breathing historical reference. “I was in Patton’s army,” he said, recounting the story of how he earned his purple badge of courage. “We were just outside of a town called Schulenburg. It was sort of mountainous, and the enemies were on one side, we were on the other, and I was a forward observer in the artillery. You’ve got to be up front to see where your shells are landing,” he explained. Alsbach never mentions the terror he must have been experiencing during the battle. “We were just in the woods and they were dropping mortars in the trees and then they would explode. I got hit; my leg got broke, a piece of shrapnel went in and broke a couple bones. I had a radio, and I didn’t leave until we delivered the radio up front to our other troops,” he said. Alsbach was also awarded a bronze star for his efforts to keep his troop connected via radio. “We were up front and the enemy lines, they were shelling us and our radio got knocked out. We had a telephone, but our lines were broke. Myself and another soldier followed the lines to where they were broken and we put them back together,” he said. Webb Elementary Principal JoAnne Iwanicki says it’s stories like Alsbach’s that students can learn so much from. She told a story of her own at the presentation, a book called “America’s White Table” by Margot Theis Raven. The story explains the American tradition of setting a white table in remembrance of POWs on Veterans Day. “We use a small table 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 family waiting for loved ones to return,” she said. Webb students reenacted the ritual before an assembly of students, parents and veterans, followed by a group sing-along of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” “It was very good to let the kids know what today is,” Alsbach said. Pleasant Ridge resident Sandy Gulian’s daughter is a teacher at Webb. She and her husband, a veteran of World War II, attended the presentation. “We enjoyed the program. The children were so well behaved. I am very impressed with this school; it gives me hope for our country,” she said. Webb students made cards covered in thank-yous, stars and stripes, and even camouflage, for the veterans. “I have been very blessed to read them and impressed that the children do appreciate what the veterans did for America,” Sandy said. Iwanicki said this was the first year that Webb has put on a program for veterans and hopes to continue it in the future. “It was wonderful to see the veterans here to give them an opportunity to visit with one another. They don’t all know one another, so it’s nice for them to have that kinship,” she said. |
Veteran's Day talk at Texas VA Hospital Ceremony
Liberty's `White Table' honors heroes Sun, The Plainfield (IL) November 11, 2005
Fourth-graders at Liberty Elementary School are taking part in a project to honor current soldiers and to celebrate Veterans Day. Inspired by the book "America's White Table," the students set a table in honor of the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces on Nov. 2. The table will be on display through Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Written by Margot Theis Raven, "America's White Table" is the story of a solider who leaves home to serve his country. In the story, a table is set to serve as a reminder of him while he is away. Liberty's table is covered with a white cloth, which is to honor a soldier's pure heart as he or she answers the call to duty. On the plate, a lemon wedge and salt are placed to manifest a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of the families waiting for loved ones to return home. An empty chair represents the soldier who is not there, a black napkin is placed near the plate to symbolize the sorrow of captivity, and a turned over glass represents a meal that will not be eaten. A white candle is placed on the table for peace, and a red rose is set on the table in hopes of all of our missing returning someday, according to a press release from the school district. Liberty also compiled a list of students who have family members who have served, or are currently serving, in the Armed Forces to add to the display. Liberty, one of 14 elementary schools in Plainfield School District 202, is located at 1401 Essington Road in Bolingbrook. |
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