“You Are Not Forgotten”
Veterans stand with the Missing Man Table at the POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony in Memorial Park, hosted by VFW Post 5837 Auxiliary. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
Morgantown Marks POW/MIA Day
Story and Pictures by Beverly Bonilla
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was honored at the Memorial Park at the Charles Black Park in Morgantown, in a ceremony hosted by the VFW Post 5837 Auxiliary.
The solemn observance paid tribute to American service members who were held as prisoners of war and those still missing in action, reminding the community that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
Joel Blanchard, Chairman for the Auxiliary was the featured speaker for the event and beside him sat a small table set for one, which was a powerful tribute known as the Missing Man Table. Denton Pharris read the poem Flanders Field and Ballard Mattingly explained each element of the table and the deep symbolic meaning they each carried.
The ceremony included remarks from Joel Blanchard, VFW Post 5837 Auxiliary chairman, honoring prisoners of war and those still missing in action. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
On the Missing Man Table was a white tablecloth symbolized the purity of their intentions to serve, the single red rose honored the blood shed and the faith of families who continue to hope, a slice of lemon stood for the bitter fate of the missing, while grains of salt represented the tears shed by waiting loved ones. An inverted glass showed that the missing could not join in toasts with us today, and an empty chair marked their absence through they are never forgotten. In addition to the traditional elements on the table were a Bible for spiritual strength, a black napkin lay folded symbolizing mourning and sorrow for those who never saw their loved one’s return, a yellow candle as a sign of hope and remembrance with a yellow ribbon tied around it is symbolizing of waiting for home.
The Missing Man Table stands as the centerpiece of Morgantown’s POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at Memorial Park, hosted by VFW Post 5837 Auxiliary. Each item—the white cloth, single red rose, lemon, salt, inverted glass and empty chair, a Bible, black napkin, and yellow candle with ribbon—symbolizes service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
Mattingly read off some of the missing American Heros that were lost but now returned home this year. In World War II, Captain Willibald C. Bianchi-Minnesota, Private Charles Winters-Pennsylvania, Seaman Edwin Mandeberg-California, Sergeant Harold Younge-Michigan and Private First Class Bernard Sweet-New York. In the Korean War, Corporal William Farrell-New York, Private Victor Vega-Texas, Sergeant Charles Gibson-Ohio, Corporal Donald Dage-Illinois and Private First-Class Robert Johnson-Minnesota. In the Vietnam War, Sergeant David Gervais-Washington and Lieutenant James Calfee-Georgia.
You are not forgotten!
