To whomever wrote the first script and set the first table -- thank you, thank you, thank you.

I have witnessed the Ceremony several times:

• 5 females, one to represent each of the services, and a reader
• 5 males, one to represent each of the services, and a reader
• 4 males and 1 female, one to represent each of the services, and a reader
• 1 male, to represent the single service organizing the Ceremony, and a reader

I am posting the instructions for set up, and the script (as I know it) so others may perform the Ceremony. The instructions and script is for ONE, you may modify it as necessary for your purposes. Or you might want to use one or the other of these.

The Necessities:

• A small, round table, about 36 inches tall.
• A dinning chair
• A small serving cart
• A white tablecloth
• A white vase to be placed in the middle of the table
• A yellow and black ribbon to be tied around the neck of the vase
• A red rose to be placed in the vase
• A white dinner plate
• A couple slices (not wedges) of lemon to be placed on the plate
• A tablespoon of salt to be sprinkled on the plate
• A long stemmed wine glass to be placed inverted on the table
• A Solder, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Coast Guard in full Dress Uniform, with white gloves
• A reader

The Walk Through:

Table and chair are set near the head table where it can be seen by all in the room.

The tablecloth, vase with yellow and black ribbon already tied and red rose already in, plate, lemon slices, salt and wine glass are placed on the serving cart.

The effect, in a darkened room, of a baby blue spot light on the table -- unbelievable.

As the reader reads (slowly, solemnly, funeral cadence) the first two lines of the script, the service member in Dress Uniform marches to the table.

As the reader reads (slowly, solemnly, funeral cadence) through the list of items and their meanings, the service member in Dress Uniform sets or places the items onto the table.

After the chair is push against the table, the service member in Dress Uniform (slowly, solemnly, funeral cadence) salutes, then does whatever facing movement is requited and exits the room.

To honor and remember:

In the banquet hall (today/tonight) we have a small table in a place of honor near our head table. It is to be set for one. Let us explain.

The military is filled with symbolism. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POW/MIA. We call them Brothers and/or Sisters. They are unable to be with us today and so we remember them because of their incarceration.

• This table for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against harsh oppressors.
• The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.
• The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who remain deep the faith awaiting their return.
• The yellow and black ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the yellow and black ribbons worn upon the lapel of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.
• A slice of lemon is on the plate to remind us of their bitter fate.
• There is salt upon the plate symbolic of the families' tears as they wait.
• The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us today.
• The chair - the chair is empty - they are not here.

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