
Fallen Comrade Table, Fallen Warrior Table, and Fallen Soldier Table
…A special table set in tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives, and those who have served to help keep us free and safe. Please take a pause at 3:00 P.M. on Memorial Day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Fallen Warrior Table / Fallen Comrade Table
Table: set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one isolated prisoner. The table is usually set close to, or within sight of, the entrance to the dining room. For large events of the Missing Man Table is set for six places: members of the five armed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) and a sixth place setting reminiscent of the civilians who died during service alongside the armed forces or missing during armed conflict. 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 (or red) ribbon on the vase represents the 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.
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.
Here is another reading of the meaning of the Fallen Comrade Table (as posted on Flickr by the West Point U.S. Military Academy:
As posted with the photo (i.e. the Featured Photo on this post):
The Fallen Comrade Table
The Fallen Comrade table is set at the front of the West Point Club ballroom on June 16 for the Army Birthday ceremony at West Point. The table pays tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the Army and our country. After the birthday cake was cut the first piece was placed on the table in a symbolic gesture to our departed heroes. (Photo by Master Sgt. Dean Welch/DComm)The photo see below is from this excellent post…
How to Prepare a Fallen Soldier Table
by Jennifer Spirko, eHow Contributor
A sad part of military etiquette is honoring service members who have fallen in the line of duty. Remembering them honors their sacrifice and that of their families. It also underscores the importance of the commitment to duty made by the living. At military balls, weddings, reunions and other formal occasions, one beautiful, thoughtful way to honor those who have died is a Fallen Soldier Table. Each element on the table symbolizes something specific.