Date: Sat, 20 Sep 1997
Larry Zellers Email address
I thought I would give you a report on a POW/MIA REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY held at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. at 10:30 AM on September 19, 1997. As you may be aware, Bolling AFB is located within the 63 square miles that comprises the District of Columbia and is the base of operations for the President's fleet of helicopters--four miles from the white house--the official Air Force Band and the official Air Force Honor Guard. The latter two groups are called upon one or two times a week on average to perform at some function either at the White House or at some other nearby place at the direction of the President.
At the appointed time, I was escorted to my seat at the dais followed by the Base Commander, Col. Peter U. Sutton. Standing immediately in front of me and to the right of the speakers lectern a young woman signed for the hearing impaired. The two flag poles flew the American Flag, the Air Force flag and, underneath the latter, the POW/MIA flag. First the Narrator gave some opening remarks, followed by the National Anthem played by the Air Force Band, the Invocation and some additional remarks by the Base Commander. Then a female vocalist from the Air Force Band sang "Wind Beneath My Wings." During her singing, a small hawk flew overhead, turned into the wind in full view of everyone on the dais, and paused motionless above the parade ground--as though looking for prey on the ground--for perhaps ten seconds. Following the reading of the Presidential POW/MIA Proclamation, I gave the address.
The Ceremony
What followed was a ceremony that may be unfamiliar to some: The Missing Man Table performed by the Air Force Honor Guard. A round table was located about fifty feet in front of the dais around which there are four chairs representing the five military services: one chair is missing, symbolizing the missing POW/MIAs. One guard brought bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness of imprisonment, and placed them on the table; another laid a Bible on the table in recognition that a POW/MIA is helpless except for the power of God; another held up an empty glass, turned it upside down, and slowly placed in on the table in acknowledgment that there is no celebration for the POW/MIA. It was all done with great dignity.The Ceremony was closed by a Moment of Silence, some closing remarks by the Narrator, a Benediction and the playing of the Air Force Hymn by the Air Force Band.
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