CECOM Chief of Staff joins local VFW to pay tribute on Memorial Day

By Ms. Andricka Thomas (CECOM)June 3, 2010

CECOM Chief of Staff, Memorial Day VFW service
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. William 'Bill' Montgomery, chief of staff for the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, speaks with Louise Poole (right) and Dean Shanbarger, Army veteran, at a Memorial Day service and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action table rededicatio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
VFW POW/MIA Memorial Day service
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Table rededicated to Prisoners at War and Missing in Action service members, displayed May 31 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars John S. Murphy Post 7130 Memorial Day service in Delta, Penn. U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command chief of staff, C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - "Our calling today is clear, to honor our country's men and women who've died in its service," said Col. William "Bill" Montgomery during a Memorial Day service in Delta, Pa. "[Those] who've laid down their lives in defense of their fellow citizens, who've given their last full measure of devotion to protect the United States of America---these are the men and women I honor this weekend, and I know many of you are doing the same."

Montgomery, chief of staff for the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, was one of thousands of American citizens who paused May 31 to pay tribute to America's men and women in uniform who have lost their lives in defense of the United States.

Montgomery joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars John S. Murphy Post 7130 as a guest speaker for the Memorial Day service and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action re-dedication ceremony.

"We must always remember in a special way those Americans who remain missing and unaccounted for from all [of] our nation's past wars and conflicts," said Ruth Myers, chaplain of the VFW Post 7130 Ladies Auxiliary. Myers explained the significance of each piece on the re-dedicated POW/MIA table and charged the audience to remember and to never forget.

"We call them comrades," Myers began in tribute to the POWs and MIAs. "The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors. The table cloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their [POW/MIA] intentions to respond to their country's call to arms," said Myers.

A red rose was placed in a vase to remind people of the families and loved ones who are awaiting their Soldier's return. The red ribbon on the vase represents all those who demand a proper accounting for our missing. The table was set with a piece of lemon on the bread plate to remind those of their bitter fate, and salt for the tears of their family members as they wait.

"The glass is inverted, as they cannot toast with us tonight and the chair is empty because they are not here," said Myers. The candle represents the light of hope that lives in the hearts of family members waiting for their safe return home.

During the tribute, two volunteer vocal soloists sang "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful." The program culminated with a prayer for the service members of the past, present and their Families.

The VFW Post 7130 post commander, Scott Mullins, spoke of the dedication and service young men and women render as they enter the military services today, and thanked them for their bravery. The VFW Post has been involved in a variety of activities to support America's service members past and present. Founded in 1949, the Post is comprised of about 95 members who, each year, put 900 American flags on the gravesites of America's service members to honor them. The John S. Murphy Post members have made care packages to send overseas; visit and sponsor excursions to the local fair for veterans residing at the Perry Point Veterans Hospital and greet returning Soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan at the Harrisburg, Pa., Airport.