I wanted to share a few pictures along with a little story of tradition from a recent event that myself, Art Miller, and Carrie Mundy shot. It was my first time shooting a Military event, and when they say it begins at 6pm, it begins at 6pm. 
BTW, if you attended the event and looking for you photos Carrie has them up on her site… click here.
This was the 62nd Birthday for the Medical Services Corps, celebrated at Paradise Point Resort – Mission Bay.
My favorite dancers of the night. They danced to every song, including the “Cha Cha slide”… ugg.. really hate that song. 
Now onto a bit of Military tradition. As I was inside checking out the ball room I saw LT Kevin Wetzel (that’s him below) standing near two tables reading over his speech for the night while arranging and wine glass and a plate with lemons on it. I was very curious why these lemons were so important, after all it’s not everyday you seem someone giving such attention to the location of a plate of lemons and salt on a table. He told me about the tradition of having a KIA/POW table at events, and gave me the following explanation for each piece found on these two tables. I have shared below what each of these items represent.
“The military is filled with tradition and symbolism. As you entered the dining area this evening, you may have noticed two tables in a place of honor near our head table. Each table is set for one. These tables are our way of symbolizing that there are members of our profession of arms who are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POW/MIA and KIA/WIA; Prisoners of War or Missing in Action, and Killed Action or Wounded in Action. We call them comrades in arms. We remember them this evening because they are unable to be with us for this gathering.
This year the KIA/WIA table takes on special significance for the Medical Service Corps. This year, for the first time since the beginning of our country’s current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Medical Service Corps has lost two officers in the combat zones:
CDR Charles Keith Springle, MSC/Clinical Social Work. Killed by friendly fire by a combat stress patient, Monday 11 May 2009, while deployed to the US Army’s 55th Medical Company, Combat Stress Center, at Camp Liberty, Baghdad, Iraq.
And LT Florence B. Choe, MSC/Health Care Administration. Killed by hostile fire, Friday 27 March 2009, while deployed to Forward Operating Base Shaheen, near Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province, in northern Afghanistan. “
The tablecloth on the POW/MIA table is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
This single table setting symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner alone against his captors.
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of the bitterness of their captivity.
There is salt upon the bread plate, symbolic of their families’ tears as they wait.
The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us this night.
The single red rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who kept the faith awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon tied to the vase is reminiscent of the yellow ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.
The chair is empty, they are not here. 
The Purple Heart Medal is awarded by a grateful nation to every service member wounded or killed by hostile action.
The cloth on this table is black, the color of mourning.
Its single table setting symbolizes each individual’s own decision to serve, knowing at the outset that they might be called upon to pay the ultimate price.
The single white rose is symbolic of the purity of their sacrifice.
The black ribbon tied to the vase is reminiscent of the black armbands of mourning worn by their families.
This plate too is empty, and this glass also is inverted, for they too cannot join us this evening.
This chair is empty, they are not here.
by Dave
1 comment