Never Forgotten: Missing Man Table

If you visit one of our facilities and see a small table set for one, it is our Missing Man Table—also known as the Fallen Comrade Table—a powerful and solemn tradition serving as a living memorial to the members we have lost.

In the corrections profession, we understand the weight of the empty chair. We stand a different kind of watch, but we share a fundamental bond with those who serve: a commitment to duty and a promise to never forget our fallen or missing brothers and sisters in arms. 

Each element on the table carries a deep, symbolic meaning:

• Round Table: Set for one, representing the service member lost in the line of duty.
• White Tablecloth: Symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
• A Single Rose: Reminds us of the families and loved ones who keep the faith while awaiting their return.
• The Red Ribbon: Tied to the vase, it represents a continued determination to account for the missing.
• A Slice of Lemon: Reminds us of their bitter fate.
• A Pinch of Salt: Symbolizes the tears of the families who wait.
• The Inverted Glass: They cannot toast with us tonight.
• The Empty Chair: They are not here.
• A Bible: representing the strength gained through faith to sustain us.

When you see this table, we invite you to take a brief moment of silence to honor their service and remember that they are never forgotten. #CorrectionsMonth #People #NeverForgotten