Lake Effect Designs

Veteran’s National Service

· “The table is round to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.

· “The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

· “The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing and their loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

· “The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

· “A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

· “A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

· “A (candle) represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

· “The glass is inverted to symbolize their inability to share this day’s toast.

“The chairs are empty; they are missing.”Shortt then asked the group to raise cups that were set on tables to toast America’s POW/MIAs and to the success of the country’s efforts to account for them.

May 26, 2008 Memorial Day Oswego Valley News Article

The Fulton Elks Lodge #830 held a ceremony and a luncheon , which was hosted by the Elks Club and the Elk’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Harry Shortt, Loyal Knight and veterans representative of the Elk’s Lodge, greeted the visitors with a brief ceremony that opened with the Lord’s Prayer.

Explaining some statistics, Shortt explained the numbers of soldiers who served and the battle deaths that have come from each war to date.

· Revolutionary War - 217,000 served; 4,435 battle deaths

· War of 1812 - 286,730 served; 2,260 deaths

· Mexican War - 78,718 served; 1,733 deaths

· Civil War (both sides) - 3,213,363 served; 191,963 deaths

· Spanish American War - 306,760 served; 385 deaths

· World War I - 4,734,991 served; 53,402 deaths

· World War II - 16,112,566 served; 291,557 deaths

· Korean Conflict - 5,720,000 served; 33,741 deaths

· Vietnam Conflict - 8,744,000 served; 47,424 deaths

· Persian Gulf War - 2,225,000 served; 147 deaths

“I have 51 pages of casualties in Iraq,” Shortt said. “Today, there are over 4,000.”

Shortt lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. As the group was seated, attention was drawn to a round table that was set with place settings and flowers at the front of the room. Explaining its purpose, Shortt said, “It is reserved to honor our missing comrades in arms.

“Set for six, the empty places represent Americans still missing from each of the five services — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard — and civilians,” Shortt said. “This Honors Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us; here in spirit.”

Shortt asked the guests to stand again as the honor guard placed five service caps and a civilian cap on top of each empty plate at the table. As the group sat down, he explained the symbolism of each item at the table.

The Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks

Fulton Lodge #830

B.P.O.E. 830, 57 Pierce Drive, Fulton, NY 13069

Phone: 315.598.4363  Fax: 315.592.9199

All intellectual property, logos,

trademarks, service marks, are the property of their respective holder(s).

© 2008 Lake Effect Designs

All rights reserved.

07/09/08