VFW Post 2299 remembers soldiers who didn’t come home

By Deborah Rafford
Special to the Pioneer Times
    STACYVILLE — It was a solemn occasion Sept. 19 at the Sherman area VFW Post 2299. Around 40 people showed up to honor members of the armed services who are Missing In Action or are Prisoners of War.
TABLE FOR ONE — This table depicts the story, “Table For One”, and leaves the reader with a better understanding of why it is set the way it is. It's a way to honor and remember our POW/MIAs.
    Brian McNally read “Table For One” with a small, round table set in front of him. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen: You will notice that in the back of the room a table is set aside as a reminder of those who have fought in defense of our country, but were never able to return home. Those who have served and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and internment. Let us pause and recognize our POWs-MIAs.
UNTIL HE COMES HOME — Auxiliary Sr. Vice President Colleen Guiggey has worn Capt. Spiecher's POW/MIA bracelet since he went missing. Capt. Speicher was the first pilot shot down in Iraq in 1991, during Desert Storm.
    “We call your attention to this small table, set for one, representing the missing in action and prisoners of war who cannot be with us. We call them husband, father, brother, sister, daughter, mom, son and friend. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay humble tribute and to bear witness to their continued absence,” he said.
    The ceremony was filled with symbolism. The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone, against his other suppressors. The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond when called to duty. A single rose in the vase symbolizes the blood that many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of the United States of America. The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us. The lemon on the plate reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and are still missing. The pinch of salt reminds us of the countless tears of those missing and their families. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith, sustaining those lost from this country, which was founded as "One nation under God". The inverted glass shows the soldier's inability to share the evening's toast. The faded pictures on the table are a reminder that they are missed very much and are remembered. The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to light their way home, away from their captives and into the open arms of a grateful nation. The American flag reminds us that many of our missing may never return, and have paid the final full measure of devotion to ensure our freedom. The chair is empty. They are not here.
    McNally continued, “As we look upon this empty table, do not remember ghosts from the past. Remember our comrades. Remember those whom we depended on in battle. They depend on U.S. to bring them home. Let us pray that our missing will soon be back in our fold. Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices. May God watch over them and protect them and their families.”
'LEST WE FORGET' — Peter Roy made a song out of an anonymous poem that he had found on the Internet, and there weren’t many dry eyes when he finished. Randy Ward listens intently.
    Peter Roy made a song out of an anonymous poem that he had found on the Internet, and there weren’t many dry eyes when he finished. It was written in 2007, marking the 16th anniversary of Capt. Scott Speicher's plane that was shot down over Iraq. Capt. Speicher is listed as both a POW and an MIA. He was the first pilot to be shot down during the Iraq War.
    Special guests, Reps. Henry Joy and Jeff Gifford both spoke to the group. Larry Bouchard of the Medway DAV, Terrance Leavitt, commander for the Dept. of Maine’s DAV, Janice Barr, Janice Barr, Past State Commander DAVA, and Anne Leavitt, Sr. Vice State Commander DAVA were all introduced.
    TAPS was played at the end of the ceremony by Larry Bouchard, of the Medway DAV.
REMEMBERING — Mary Joy and her husband, Rep. Henry Joy of Crystal and Rep. Jeff Gifford of Lincoln, listen to the ceremony for the POW/MIAs. Both lawmakers spoke briefly during the ceremony.
    A 2-foot by 5-foot wooden cage with barbed wire, sat on the lawn of the VFW for a week before the ceremony. People would stop to ask about the meaning of the cage. When told it was a replica of a cage POWs were put in during the Vietnam era, people were outraged at such abuse. Some people however, did not like or want the cage displayed.
    Allison Roy, president of the VFW Auxiliary Post 2299 wanted folks to know the cage has nothing to do with our soldiers overseas today. “With POW/MIA ceremonies, we put the cage out on the lawn to make people aware of what these men went through. We still have POWs and MIAs out there, and we need to get them home.”
    Roy assures everyone it was not done to offend anyone. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please take them to Wayne Guiggey or to her.
SHOWING SUPPORT — The United Vets Motorcycle Club of Houlton came in support of the POW/MIA ceremony held in Stacyville. They included, from left, back row: Larry Scott, Dave Pond, Randy Ward and Chris Smith. Front row: Sally Ward, Michele Toner, Becky Graham and Sonja Smith.
    Senior VP, Colleen Guiggey, said that we need to keep the POW/MIA issue in the public’s eye. “Contact your legislator and make sure funding continues,” she said. “We are still finding men from WWII who are identified through DNA.
    VFW Post 2299 President Wayne Guiggey urged, “Remember comrades, never forget their sacrifices. We must never forget our missing men and women.“