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Grand Bulletin News and Subscription Form Grand Chef de Gare and Grand Correspondant Grand Chefs and La Grande Presidentes Passe' POW - MIA Survivors Scholarship Information
Voiture 215 - Jacksonville Beach Voiture 1571 - Escambia County
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An optional ceremony, which is
very appropriate for banquet settings, is listed below. Careful attention
should be given to the proper layout of the table. Before we begin our festivities this evening, I
would like to recognize our POW/MIAs calling your attention to this small table
which occupies a place of honor near the head table. The fact that members of our armed forces are
missing from our ranks is why we are here today. They have been referred
to as POW/MIAs; we call them Brothers. They are
unable to be with their loved ones and families (tonight) so we join with them
in this humble tribute. This table, it is small
– set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his
oppressors. The table cloth is white
- symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call
to arms. The
single rose - displayed in the vase reminds us of the families and friends
of our missing brothers who keep faith while awaiting their return. The red ribbon
- tied prominently on the vase reminds us of the red ribbons worn on the lapels
and brothers who are not among us tonight. The place setting –
single, alone no friends or family to dine with A slice of lemon
- reminds us of their bitter fate. 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
- reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to light the way
home; away from their captors to the open arms of a grateful nation. The Bible – Represents
the strength gained thought faith to sustain those lost from us, from our
country, founded as one nation under God. Let us pray to the Supreme Commandant that all our
brothers will soon again be among our ranks. REMEMBER MC-1: "Tonight we have some honored guests who
can not be with us, so we remember them in this way."
(Three raps of the gavel) "All
rise." "Voyageurs, please uncover."
(If not already uncovered.) "Please
direct your attention to the place setting in front of the podium. This
suggested ceremony calls for designating a POW/MIA place setting at all
luncheons, banquets and memorial services conducted by La Societe, as a physical
symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all
foreign conflicts. Accordingly at this time the Conducteur will advance to light
the candle." The Counducteur slowly advances toward the table
setting where he will pause and wait for the que, "As the Conducteur lights
the candle"(given by the
MC). MC-1:
"A
reminder for us all to spare no effort to secure the release of any American
prisoners from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died
bravely in defense of liberty, and a full accounting of those missing in action.
As the Conducteur lights the candle
I will explain the symbolism of the The Conducteur slowly executes the lighting of
the candle, comes to attention, turns to face the POW/MIA chair and executes
slow salute. MC-2:
"The
table." MC-1: "The table is small, symbolizing the
helplessness of one person, alone against his oppressors." MC-2:
"The
cloth." MC-1: "The table cloth is white for the purity
of their intentions in responding to their Country's call to arms. MC-2: "The
bread plate." MC-1: "A slice of lemon is on the bread plate
to remind us of their bitter fate, and there is salt, symbolic of the tears shed
by those who wait." MC-2: "The
rose." MC-1: "The single red rose in a vase reminds us
of the families and loved ones who have kept faith, awaiting the return of our
POW/MIAs." MC-2: "The
ribbon." MC-1: "The red ribbon, tied so prominently
around the vase, represents the red ribbon worn upon the lapels and breasts of
thousands who bear witness to our Nations' unyielding determination to demand a
proper accounting of our POW/MIAs." MC-2: "The
candle." MC-1: "The candle is the light of hope which
lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, out of the hands of their
oppressors an in to the arms of a grateful Nation." MC-2: "The
glass." MC-1:
"The
glass is inverted, for they can not toast with us tonight." MC-2: "The
chair." MC-1:
"The
chair is empty, for they are not here." MC-2:
“The Bible” MC-1:
“Represents the strength gained
thought faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation
under God.” The Conducteur turns to face the candle. MC-1: "Remember, we all called them comrades,
brothers, sisters, and friends. Do not let them be forgotten, for surely
they have not forgotten us. We will now pause for a moment of silence in
honor of our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action." Conducteur observes moment of silence, execute about face and returns to his station. (NOTE: MC1 and MC2 may be combined for one speaker or expanded up to include MC9 to facilitate wider participation by the membership. The POW/MIA chair cover, or flag, must be in place prior to beginning Place Setting ceremony.) |
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