Fallen Soldiers...

Being an Army wife is definitely not something I take lightly. I am so very proud of Jason, for the commitment he has made to serve his country. Since we have been married, I have attended 4 Annual Training Conferences with Jason~similar to, or commonly referred to as an Army Ball. Not only do I love attending these Conferences because we usually get to leave our children at home~but it only makes me feel even more proud of my husband for the work that he does. I wanted to share a part of the ceremony that pays tribute to Fallen Comrades... The script is below, along with a few photos from the Conference we attended in December. Jason was the Master of Ceremonies, and I couldn't have been more proud to sit in the audience as he recited the following words...

"PERHAPS AS YOU ENTERED THE HALL THIS EVENING, YOU NOTICED A

SMALL TABLE, SET FOR ONE ‐ IN A PLACE OF HONOR. PLEASE ALLOW

ME TO EXPLAIN... THE MILITARY CASTE IS FILLED

WITH SYMBOLISM. THIS TABLE IS OUR WAY OF SYMBOLIZING THE

FACT THAT MEMBERS OF OUR PROUD PROFESSION ARE MISSING

FROM OUR MIDST AND ARE UNABLE TO BE WITH US THIS EVENING.

IT SYMBOLIZES THOSE KILLED OR MISSING IN ACTION. THEY ARE

COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS KIA OR MIA. HOWEVER WE CALL THEM COMRADES."

"The table is round – to show our everlasting concern for our fallen comrades. The tablecloth is white – symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen comrades, and the loved ones and friends of these comrades who keep the faith. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen comrades. A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return. A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the families of those who have sacrificed all. The Holy Book represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country. The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time. The chair is empty because they are no longer with us. Let us remember – and never forget their sacrifice. May they and their families ever be watched over and protected.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen Please Stand; As first written and first proposed by our service members in North Vietnam prisoner of war camps where only water was available for toasting, a toast to those killed in action, missing in action or to prisoners of war is made with water. At this time, please secure your water glasses. “

Toast: "Ladies and Gentlemen, raise your glasses to those who have not yet come home, and those who never will-Response: To our fallen comrades.”