At Milton's Veterans Day observance, a very special guest acknowledged, honored

Master Chief Petty Officer USN Ret. Robert Manson carefully prepares the Missing Man Table Display prior to Veterans Day observances in Milton on Friday. (Lebanon Voice photos)

MILTON - Milton's Veteran's Day observance always includes the town's VFW Post 8393, its American Legion Post 61 and Union's VFW Post 7663, the Scouts, clergy and townspeople but this year everyone in attendance took a few moments to recognize and revere a very special addition to the observance who couldn't make it: the Missing Man Table.

Master Chief Petty Officer USN Ret. Robert Manson of Rochester brought and set up the display in Veterans Park just steps from Old Glory, for whom countless servicemen and women not only made the ultimate sacrifice, but for some, in fact, who may still be held as prisoners of war in foreign lands.

The Missing Man Table, which can often be seen in American Legion and VFW halls across the country, is a scrupulously ornamented table that depicts the misery and sadness of those brave Americans both living and dead that are left behind.

As part of the day's observance, Manson described the items on the table and their significance.

Milton resident Jodi Gourlay leads a rousing singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" during Friday's Memorial Day Service in Veterans Park in Milton.

• Table: set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one isolated prisoner. Table is round to represent everlasting concern on the part of the survivors for their missing loved ones.
• Tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.
• Single red rose in the vase, signifies the blood that 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.
• 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.
• Slice of lemon on the bread plate: represents the bitter fate of the missing.
• Salt sprinkled on the bread plate: symbolic of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
• Inverted glass: represents the fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake.
• Lit candle: 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.
• Empty chair: the missing and fallen aren't present.

And while Memorial Day is set aside for remembering those who have fallen in defense of our country, and Veterans Day is a day to celebrate all veterans, it is only appropriate to recognize once again those who paid the ultimate price, Monson told the crowd, which gathered under a brilliant sky and a brisk wind to honor those who have kept and keep this country free.