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Category: Where Was This Made?

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The Empty Table

The Empty Table

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Col. David W. Sutherland, US Army (Retired), Chairman & Co-Founder of the Dixon Center for Military and Beterans Community Services, was the Keynote speaker at a Red Cross (Philadelphia) event I photographed Friday.
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A table set for one, an empty chair, a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of salt on the lone plate that adorns a white tablecloth, accented with an upside-down glass and a single rose, its vase tied in a red ribbon.

"The Empty Table" display signifies the sacrifices of veterans --prisoners of war and those service members who remain missing in action.

The empty chair represents the person; the white tablecloth, the purity of their intentions when joining the service; the blood-red rose, a symbol of their sacrifice; the lemon, their bitter fate; the salt represents tears shed; and the inverted glass, no toasts with the missing comrade.
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Michelle Alton

During his presentation Col. Sutherland related the story of Staff Sergeant Donnie D. Dixon. In 2007 Dixon, who had been assigned to protect Sutherland, made the ultimate sacrifice when he purposefully took a bullet intended for the Colonel.

There were no dry eyes in the room.
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The "Staff Sergeant Donnie D. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Community Services" was dedicated in his honor.
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Colonel Sutherland's speech was the most moving (bar NONE) I had ever heard.

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March 23, 2014

Kevin P. Kreischer

Well captured Michelle!