The POW/MIA Table Kenneth Riege

The POW/MIA Table

By Ken Riege USAF 1985 – 1993

There are many different names for this table and what it represents, but for my story I am going to refer to it as “The POW/MIA Table.” This table honors all POW’s (Prisoners of War) and MIA’s (Missing in Action). This table holds a very special place in my heart as my dear friend and Gallup’s Favorite Son, Mr. Hershey Miyamura, was a POW for nearly 28 months during the Korean War and my grandfather Paul Emerson Riege was listed as Missing in Action during WW1.

The first time I saw one of these tables and witnessed the ceremony of the POW/MIA Table, I was so moved that as soon as I got back home to Gallup I put one up at the Comfort Suites to honor all those who have been or are still listed as a POW/MIA.

This is a copy of the telegram that his mother (my great grandmother) received telling her that her son, Paul Emerson Riege, was listing as Missing in Action.

This is the POW/MIA Table at the Comfort Suites in Gallup. The POW/MIA Flag was donated by Hershey as he wanted to honor all of his fellow POW/MIA’s and their families who stay at the hotel.

Symbolism and traditions are the backbone of our military and here is a breakdown of each item on the table:

“We cover a small round table with a white cloth to honor a service member’s pure heat when they answer their country’s call to duty.” “We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive service member’s bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.” “We push an empty chair to the table for the missing service members who are not here.” “We lay a black napkin for the

sorrow of captivity, and turn over a glass for the meal that won’t be eaten.” “We place a white candle for peace and finally, a red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all our missing service members will someday return.” The tradition of the POW/MIA Table has been in placesince the end of the Vietnam War. It was done to honor all those who have been or are still listed as aPOW/ MIA.

Every year on the 3rd Friday of September is National POW/ MIA Day. Here is this year’s poster which can be downloaded for free at: https://www.dpaa.mil/Families/Posters.aspx

In closing I would like to remind everyone that we should honor all those who have worn or continue to wear the uniform of our country and as the saying goes, “All Gave Some, Some GaveAll.”

This month’s Medal of Honor Quote comes from a three war veteran who was also a POW. USAF Brigadier General George “Bud” Day.

I never got the honor of meeting General Day, but have heard from so many of his fellow POW’s that he was as they put it, “A Hero’s Hero” and is recognized as the highest and most decorated United States Air Force Officer in history. His quote is as follows:

“Go with honor, Live with honor, Return with honor. This is America in Action.”

All the Medal of Honor Quotes that I have used, comes from the book “Medal of Honor Quotes, Inspiration from America’s Military Heroes” and can be found at: www.americanvaluescenter. org