For the second year in a row and in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armistice from WWI, I spearheaded a combined Veterans Day and Armistice Day celebration for the personnel of Scott Base and McMurdo Station.
Likewise in moments such as this we acknowledge that our freedoms are so closely linked with that of our international allies. As we gather to celebrate this combined Armistice and Veteran’s Day the price of freedom knows no bounds. We stand in awe of the sacrifices that have been made by our allies especially our New Zealand friends. The celebration of this 11th day of the 11th month comes from the Armistice concluding World War I. New Zealand sacrificed the largest part of its citizens to this conflict more than any other nation involved in that conflict. Our New Zealand allies have also sacrificed for every major conflict from that day to the present. We are honored to bear witness to our joint efforts this day.
I am humbled to be able to stand in front of over 70 personnel from Scott Base and McMurdo Station and offer an invocation to begin this commemoration.
We not only had a POW/MIA table as a centerpiece of the days ceremony, but we also took it into the dining facility for each meal. What follows is part of the script that I wrote for this combined celebration.
The meaning of the POW/MIA table: We call your attention to this small table ...which occupies the place of dignity and honor.It is set for one ... Symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner ...alone against his or her suppressors.
We call them POWs and MIAs.We call them comrades.They are unable to be with their loved ones and families today ...so we join together to pay a humble tribute to them ...and bear witness to their continued absence.
The table cloth is white ...symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.
The single red rose in the vase ...signifies the blood they have shed ...to ensure the freedom of our beloved New Zealand and the United States of America.The rose also reminds us of the family and friends ...who keep the faith ...while awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon on the vase represents those who demand a final accounting of our comrades who are not among us today.
The slice of lemon on the plate… reminds us of their bitter fate.
The salt, when sprinkled onto the plate ...reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The glass is inverted ...they cannot toast with us this day.
The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope ...which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home ...away from their captors ...and into the open arms of a grateful Nation.
The Bible reminds us to pray… A prayer to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.Let us remember them and never forget their sacrifices.
The chair faces away from us because there is an unknown face…representing no one individual…but rather all the missing from all the wars. It is also facing away to symbolize the isolation and lack of human contact that our Patriots must endure.
Yes, on this day, this special table is set in honor of 8896 comrades of the New Zealand Defense Forces… unaccounted for…24,637 comrades of the United States Armed Forces… unaccounted for…Let us now remember and never forget...The price of freedom is never free.
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