Men and Women of Many Hats

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Last Friday, Jefferson Somerset JROTC class honored National POW/MIA Recognition Day with guest speakers, John Nelson and Mary Madison, who had an important demonstration for the JROTC students.
“In life, you will wear many hats,” Nelson began, gesturing to several different hats he personally had worn through different periods in his life, including Fire Chief in 1975, Fire Marshall in 1981, and numerous military hats that signified his various and extensive support of military groups and functions. “Each hat you will wear will come with responsibilities and an expectation to serve in a specific role. You need to be prepared and ready for the things you are going to be needing to do in those roles.”
Nelson went on to explain the dedication that is required when you wear a hat of service, like military or law enforcement, and that dedication and commitment comes with grave responsibility and potential risk. He then gestured to the center of the room, where a table was set up, as if awaiting dinner guests, and announced, “Today is Constitution Day, and is also observed as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is not a federal public holiday in the United States, but is a national observance.” POW/MIA stands for Prisoners of War/Missing in Action, and refers to any soldier who was captured in the line of duty, or who went missing while in the line of duty. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is used to remember and honor those service members who never came home, and their families, who never stopped waiting.
In honor of lost soldiers, United States flags and POW/MIA flags are flown together, and presentations of “The Table” are frequently displayed in military settings. It was here in the discussion that Nelson introduced his counter-part, Mary Madison, and asked that she tell of the significance of the flag and the table presentation.
“The story of the original POW/MIA flag began in 1971, by a woman whose husband had been shot down 'on the other side of the world',” Madison began, motioning to the black and white flag. “This woman listened every night for him to come home- he never did.”
Madison continued on to explain that this woman wanted people to remember those service members who did not return, so she came up with the design for the flag, to be flown in the hopes that it would bring unity to grieving families, and comfort to any soldier who had been lost but not forgotten. The flag stands today as a powerful symbol of America's determination to account for US personnel still missing and unaccounted for. It bears a motto, “You Are Not Forgotten.”
Madison turned to the table in the front of the room. “I'm sure many of you are wondering what this is about,” she stated, “The table represents a placeholder for those who have not yet returned home.” She explained that there are various ways to set this table up, and each symbolic item used represents different feelings one may feel as we remember those unaccounted for. But, while there are various ways of setting up the table that come down to preference, there are several items that remain relatively uniform.
The table should be round, to symbolize everlasting concern.
The table cloth is white, to symbolize the purity of the soldier's intentions while serving their country.
Each rose that sits in a vase upon the table serves as a reminder of each missing soldier as loved ones wait.
A small American flag rests in the vase, which symbolizes soldiers’ pledge of allegiance to their comrades.
A small POW/MIA flag lets the world know we didn't forget.
A yellow ribbon tied around the vase symbolizes a continued determination to find lost soldiers.
A slice of lemon reminds of the bitter fate of those captured or missing in foreign lands.
The presence of a bible symbolizes strength gained through faith.
Salt recalls the tears endured by the missing soldiers and their families.
An inverted glass represents the inability to share a cool drink with those who are missing.
An empty plate, cup and saucer, and utensils represent an inability to share a meal.
An empty chair expresses their absence.
A candle burns to represent the upward reach of the spirit of the prisoners and missing soldiers.
The table ceremony is a way for people to remember the soldiers who never returned and are, to this day, unaccounted for. The room was silent as Madison read aloud each symbolic item. She then asked the group to raise a hand if they had someone they knew that had served or is currently serving or will soon serve in the military who is close to them. A lot of hands hovered in the air.
Nelson added that out of all the soldiers who go into foreign service ventures, none are guaranteed to make it home again, despite all efforts. He solemnly addressed the class, gesturing once again to the various hats that were set out before them, saying, “This is the weight you take on when you put on this hat.” Nelson continued, encouraging the students to start now with deciding what sort of hats they want to wear in their lifetime, so they may be able to start the path towards their goals as early as possible. He also urged the students to remember that, with every hat they choose to wear, there will be responsibilities and dedication that will be required, and encouraged the students to be ready to do their very best in any role they decide to choose.
There is a cost for war. There is a price for freedom. Prisoners of war and missing soldiers have always been an unfortunate aspect of major conflicts, and the United States has not been immune. To date, there are still 1,246 Americans who are still unaccounted for in Vietnam alone.
Throughout history, there are countless soldiers who, at one point in time, put on their hats and selflessly served in the roles they were given, and ended up giving the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. And for every soldier who never came home, there is a family who never stopped waiting.
This National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we remember those who served our country. We remember them in empty place setting around a table, and in the flying of a black and white flag, and, in the words of Mary Madison, “may we never forget.”