JROTC holds POW/MIA service
By Jennifer Ramseyer
East Richland High School Army JROTC Cadets presented the ceremonial POW/MIA remembrance table during a program held at Sliva Auditorium Saturday.
The solemn occasion was attended by a small but respectful crowd.
The table set for one, draped in a pure white cloth, symbolizes those who are missing from the country's military ranks.
A single red rose with a red ribbon was placed on the table. The red ribbon reminds us of those who wore red ribbons and demanded a proper accounting of loved ones.
A plate set contained lemon and salt. The lemon represented the bitterness of suffering. Salt represents the fallen salt tears shed by loved ones at home. An inverted glass is a reminder of those who are not here to share in a toast.
A candle was lit, representing hope.
JROTC members then placed the head gear of each branch of military service on the table.
The numbers of prisoners-of-war and missing-in-action were then presented: World War I - POW 7,470, MIA 4,452; World War II - POW 124,079, MIA 30,314; Korea - POW 7,140, MIA 8,165; Vietnam - POW 2,583, MIA 1,817; Cold War - POW Classified, MIA 342; Grenada - POW 0, MIA 4; Persian Gulf War - POW 29, MIA 20; Somalia - POW 6, MIA 2; and Yugoslavia - POW 3, MIA 0. No Iraq numbers were presented.
Southern Illinois military who were classified as POW/MIA were named. With each name, JROTC members placed on the table a single rose and saluted.
The ceremony ended with the playing of Taps and Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA.
© 2005, Olney Daily Mail