Someone at work told me that we should go at night, and I have to say that it was truly amazing. I think that we will try to do the same thing again next year.
American Flag
Surrounded by all different flags of the military. I especially liked this one of Desert Storm. I remember specifically the song called Voices that Care. Maybe you remember it as well. Here are the lyrics.
Lonely fear lights up the sky
Can't help but wonder why
You're so far away
There you had to take a stand
In someone else's land
Life can be so strange
I wish we never had to choose,
To either win or lose,
That we could find a way
(We could find a way)
But I won't turn my back again,
(Turn my back again)
Your honor I'll defend
So hurry home and till then
Stand tall, stand proud
Voices that care are crying out loud
And when you close your eyes tonight,
Feel in your heart how our love burns bright
I'm not here to justify the cause
Or to count all the loss
That's all been done before.
I just can't let you feel alone
When there's so much love at home
We're sending out to you
All the courage that you've known
The bravery you've shown
Clearly lights the way
We pray! To make the future bright
To make the wrong things right
Right or wrong, we're all praying you remain strong
That's why we're all here and singing along
Stand tall, stand proud
Voices that care are crying out loud
And when you close your eyes tonight,
Know in your heart how our love burns bright
Voices that care are crying out loud
And when you close your eyes tonight,
Feel in your heart how our love burns bright
You are the voice
You are the light
Stand tall, stand proud
Voices that care are crying out loud
And when you close your eyes tonight,
Feel in your heart how our love burns bright
The rows lined up of crosses, each with a name and the service of military. We learned that there are just shy of 7,000 crosses and just Friday, 2 more were added. So sad! Also, it takes over a day and a half
Kate wanted her picture by one of them.
There are also a special row for all of the Idaho soliders that have been lost. They are larger crosses that start from the date that they passed away. The first 2 were at the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001. Many have flowers and sweet sentiments, like this one that brought tears to our eyes.
I took a picture of our shadows. Mainly because it wasn't about us that night. It was about them.
As we were leaving, I was wondering about all of the missing men and women. And that's when we went into the tent and saw the missing man table.
Missing Man Table
Table
Here you see a table set for six. The empty places represent Americans who were or are missing from each of the five services - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard - and civilians, all with us in spirit.
All Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call and served the cause of freedom in a special way.
This table is round - to show our everlasting concern.
The cloth is white - to symbolize the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
Rose
The single red rose reminds us of the lives of these men and women ... and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, while seeking answers.
Ribbon
The red ribbon symbolizes our continued determination to account for them.
Lemon
A slice of lemon reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
Salt
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families who long for answers after decades of uncertainty.
Bible
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith in our country, founded as one nation under GOD, to sustain those lost from our midst.
Glass
The glasses are inverted to symbolize their inability to share in celebration toasts.
Chairs
The chairs are empty - they are missing .......................
Silent Moment
Please take a moment of silence for our missing.
