In observance of POW/MIA Recognition Day on Friday, Sept. 18, the City of Manchester will pay tribute to America’s missing service members and former prisoners of war with a special honor display at the Veterans Memorial in Stoecker Park.
Members of the Manchester Veterans Commission will be on site to present and explain the deeply symbolic Missing Man Table. Also known as the Fallen Comrade Table, this solemn ritual serves as a focal point to honor those who answered the call of duty but have yet to return home.
The table set for one carries profound meaning in every detail:
Round table: Represents the enduring concern for our missing service members.
White tablecloth: Symbolizes the purity of their motives when answering the call to serve.
Single red rose: Honors the lives of the missing, as well as the families and loved ones who keep the faith while awaiting answers.
Red or yellow ribbon: Represents the continued hope for their safe return.
Slice of lemon: Reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured or missing in foreign lands.
Pinch of salt: Symbolizes the tears shed by the families who wait.
Inverted glass: Signifies that the missing cannot share in a toast with us today.
Lit candle: Reflects the light of hope that illuminates their way home.
Book of faith / Bible: Represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost and those left behind.
Empty chair: Serves as a stark reminder that the missing service member is not present.
Residents and visitors are invited to visit Margaret Stoecker Park throughout the day to view the display, reflect on the sacrifices of our armed forces, and speak with members of the commission about the tradition.
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