papazahn

We have an old tradition
I believe it to be service wide

It’s one that salutes our brothers
Who have passed to the other side.

A single rose by a turned down glass
Resides at the tables end

A Tiny bit of nostalgia
And a tribute to absent friends.


Each in his turn will look that way
Each with his cup abrim

Each will remember a fellow soldier
Whether Tommy or Frank or Jim.

When my earthly life is over
And to the tables end I pass

Future veterans will remember
And turn down an empty glass.

>I took this photo on Veterans Day as a Marine read the "Empty Glass" poem.

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

BEAUTIFUL

Wickspics Loc: Detroits Northwest Side. Cody High School.

yep;

Skip-M Loc: Phoenix AZ

I agree

NOSLEEP Loc: Calgary

Awesome tribute...

gregoryd45 Loc: Fakahatchee Strand

Very well done, papazahn, a wonderful tribute

ftpecktim Loc: MONTANA

Excellent,all the way around.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

LOVE it!! Awesome poem and fantastic photo!!
Would also enjoy the color version.....

mountaincamper Loc: Virginia

this is awesome,as a vet myself i thank you for it.

NOSLEEP Loc: Calgary

Papazahn, I wanted to add this additional info to this great post...

It is called the MIA/POW Table. It is at all our formal functions in the military.

You may notice this small table here in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table is our way of symbolizing that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly call P.O.W.'s or M.I.A.'s, we call them brothers.

They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them.

This table set for one is small... it symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.

The table cloth is white... it symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.

The single red rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep faith awaiting their return.

The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon is on the bread plate... to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate... symbolic of the family's tears as they wait.

The glass is inverted... they cannot toast with us tonight.

The chair is empty... they are not here.

Remember... all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, and relied on them... for surely... they have not forsaken you.

RonMos Loc: South Carolina

Lovely.

SHUTERED Loc: SO. CAL.

as a vet I thank you.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Love it!!!!!

mountaincamper Loc: Virginia

I am also a vet and thank you and every other vet that put his/her life on the line to help keep this country free. May God bless you and the famlies of each vet.