Dylan's ROTC awards banquet

Every year at the ROTC awards banquet - they have "America's White Table." This is so touching to me. I took a pic of Dylan and my dad at the table.

"America's White Table"

Materials needed: small table with an empty chair, white table cloth, black napkin, glass (turned over), white candle, lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate, one place setting with: fork, spoon and knife. A red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon.

The table honors the men and women who served in the America's Armed Forces.
We cover a small table with the a white table cloth to honor a soldier's pure heart when he answer his country's call to duty.

We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.

We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers 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 will return someday.

You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remain.

On a lighter note - Dylan got sent to the "grog" due to his hair being too long and touching the collar of his shirt! haha to him!

To prove that the cadet has drank the entire contents of the cup they must pour the "empty cup" over their head to prove it is empty. And you can tell by the look on his face that the "grog" contents did NOT taste good!
A rare picture - I will treasure forever!

My dad, Dylan and myself.