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 their 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.