Missing man table

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POW/MIA flag United States POW-MIA flag.svg
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A missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table, [1] is a ceremony and memorial that is set up in military dining facilities of the United States Armed Forces and during official dining functions, in honor of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members. [2] The table serves as the focal point of ceremonial remembrance, originally growing out of US concern of the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue. [3] [4]

Contents

Observance

The missing man table may be a permanent display in dining facilities, and is also traditionally part of military dining-in ceremonies and service balls. The ceremony may also be performed in conjunction with Veterans Day and Memorial Day services. [5] [6]

Description

A missing man table featured during a 2009 ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base. Missing Man Table at Eglin AFB.jpg
A missing man table featured during a 2009 ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base.
A missing man table featured during POW/MIA Recognition Day at Andersonville Prison 24-01-144-pow-mia-table.jpg
A missing man table featured during POW/MIA Recognition Day at Andersonville Prison

The missing man table consists of the following elements:

USS William P. Lawrence honors her namesake with a missing man table. POWMIA table DDG-110.jpg
USS William P. Lawrence honors her namesake with a missing man table.

The elements are tradition, not prescribed. Individual displays may differ depending on the availability, practicality, and appropriateness of the various elements in a particular venue. For instance, private displays by individuals or groups may include a book of faith. [15] The inclusion of the Bible in public (publicly funded installations) displays has been challenged due to violations of the First Amendment and DoD Instruction resulting in its removal. [16]

References

  1. KATHY KEIRSEY (1999). GUIDE TO THE MILITARY DINING-IN (PDF). NEW YORK: CADET HOSTESS OFFICE CULLUM MEMORIAL HALL WEST POINT.
  2. Larry Shaughnessy. "POW/MIA day brings somber ceremony, one quietly symbolic tradition". CNN .
  3. "Lackland honors former POWs with new-look ceremony". www.afisr.af.mil. Archived from the original on 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  4. Gerry J. Gilmore. "'Missing Man' Ceremony Honors Prisoners of War, Missing in Action". American Forces Press Service. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14.
  5. "ALMAR 020/07". 11 April 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05.
  6. "West Point Army Birthday Celebration".
  7. Bannerman, Stacy (2006). When the war came home: the inside story of reservists and the families they leave behind . Continuum International Publishing Group. p.  178. ISBN   978-0-8264-1795-4. missing man table.
  8. "Missing Man Table and Honors Ceremony (instructions)" (PDF). www.dtic.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2012.
  9. "Beale honors POW/MIA Recognition Day". Archived from the original on 2013-02-24. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  10. "EVENT: AFSA POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  11. 1 2 "POW – MIA Manual" (PDF). The American legion Department of Florida. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  12. "The POW/MIA Table: A Place Setting for One, A Table for All". Navy Live. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  13. 1 2 "Pow-Mia Ceremony". Archived from the original on 2013-03-10. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  14. Lisa R. Rhodes (November 8, 2012). "Veterans honored at annual Fort Meade luncheon".
  15. "The POW/MIA or Missing Man Table". U.S. DepartmentofDefense. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  16. Burke, Matthew (2018-04-07). "Advocacy Group Wants Bible Removed from POW/MIA Display". Military.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2021-09-08.