114th Aviation Company Association

"Archive"

Your attention is directed to the small table located in a place of honor near the head of the banquet hall. It is a way of symbolizing the fact that some of our friends are missing from our midst.

They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them.

The table, set for one, is small and it symbolizes the frailty of us all.

The tablecloth is white symbolic of the purity of their
intentions to respond to their country's call to arms. 

The single rose is displayed in a vase reminds us of the
families and loved ones of our comrades who will not return.

The red ribbon, tied so prominently on the vase, is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the label and breasts of thousands who bear witness to the tragedy of POWs and MIAs and with unyielding determination demand a proper accounting for our missing.

A slice of lemon the plate to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the plate symbolic of the tears of families and loved ones.

The glass is inverted they cannot toast with us tonight.

The chair is empty, They are not here.

Tonight we take time to recall those who were our comrades in arms, we depended on them for aid and support.

Let us remember all of our missing crewmembers and honor them as we stand for a moment of silence.

Submitted By: Jerry Turner, White Knight '65