The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed
across the nation on the third Friday of September each year.
Americans take this time to remember prisoners of war (POW) and
recognize those who are still missing in action (MIA). Many
veterans organizations commemorate this day by setting an extra
space at an empty table and saying a few words of remembrance.
Known as the “POW/MIA Table Ceremony”, it reminds us that we can
“Never Forget” the soldiers of America who have not come home:
-As you entered the dining area this evening, you may have
noticed a small table in the place of honor near our head table.
It is set for one. The military caste is filled with symbolism.
This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that the members
of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are
commonly called, POW/MIA. We call them brothers. They are unable
to be with us this evening and so we remember them because of
their incarceration. - This table set for one is small,
symbolizing the frailt