Elks Lodge 104 Newport held a solemn and heartfelt POW/MIA Table Rededication Ceremony, honoring the sacrifices of prisoners of war and those missing in action. The event, with strong participation by VFW Post 406 and attended by veterans, community members, and Elks leadership and members, served as a powerful reminder of those who have not returned home.
The ceremony was led by Elk and VFW member Kevin Callahan, chair of the Elks Veteran’s committee and Lodge 104 Exalted Ruler and VFW member Walt Wildemann. The centerpiece of the ceremony was the symbolic POW/MIA table, meticulously set with meaningful items, each representing an aspect of loss, sacrifice, and hope. A white tablecloth symbolized purity of intention, an empty chair represented the missing, a single red rose honored the blood shed in sacrifice, a slice of lemon served as a reminder of their bitter fate, grains of salt represented countless tears of the families, and an inverted wine glass reminds us that they cannot join us in a toast but we shall toast to them.
The Elks commitment to honoring veterans and their families was on full display, reinforcing their motto, “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”.
This ceremony serves as a continued promise to keep the memory of POWs and MIAs alive, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten. The Table was then moved back to it’s designated place of honor in the lobby outside the Elks Lodge Room where everyone who enters the Lodge will see it and be reminded of their service and sacrifice. The ceremony continued in the Elks lounge where all gathered participated in a ceremonial toast to those POW/MIA and their families.
