VFW honors 'Missing Men'

Off to the corner, beyond the billiards table at the Libby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548, was an empty table setting for one.

The table was symbolic for the missing warrior.

The symbols: A round table for the everlasting concern for missing men; white cloth for purity of a soldier’s motives; the candle is reminiscent of the light of hope; the red rose is emblematic of a family’s hope; the ribbon represents the dedication for the missing; salt is to represent tears shed for the missing; the Bible for faith; the inverted glass to show inability to attend, and the empty chair represents they are missing.

The table is usually in the range of the entrance to the dining room or visible on a wall. 

For large events of the Missing Man Table is covered for six people. It is ever a place for members of the Army, Navy, the United States Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. 

The sixth place setting at the table is reminiscent of the civilians who died during service in the armed forces or gone missing.