Sherlon Pressley established an MIA/POW Remembrance Meal Table in each of her day rooms. Enlisting the help of EMS, Engineering, Interior Design, Police and Volunteer service as well as her staff, the project became multidisciplinary and meaningful to everyone involved. The table consists of a tablecloth, place setting, an American flag, a reserved seat and a lemon. The table is framed by a large American flag, Veterans Administration flag and MIA/POW flag. The tables are set in the corner of each day room and serve as a powerful silent reminder of our MIA/POW veterans who have never returned to their families for another meal.
POW/MIA Table - the symbolism:
The Table is small; it symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.
The Tablecloth is white; symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.
The Single Rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades, who keep faith, while awaiting their return.
The Red Ribbon in the vase represents the red ribbon worn on lapels of the thousands who demand, with unyielding determination, a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us.
A Slice of Lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.
The Salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The Glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us at this time.
The Chair is empty; they are not there.
The Candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to open arms of a grateful nation.
The American Flag reminds us that many of them may never return and have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure our freedom.
Please click on the following link to see Sherlon Pressley's spotlight:
https://www.daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award/honorees/sherlon-pressley