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The Empty Table

© Michelle Alton

The Empty Table

Uploaded: March 23, 2014

Description


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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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Exif: F Number: 4.5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/100 seconds, Flash: fired, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 150.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Comments

Michelle Alton March 23, 2014

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. #1567696

Kevin P. Kreischer March 23, 2014

Well captured Michelle! #11006534

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe March 23, 2014

Excellent capture and description Michelle - The sacrifice of the GI is greater than most will ever know. #11006562

Monnie Ryan March 23, 2014

Wow. Meaningful tribute - well done! #11006590

John Connolly March 23, 2014

A superb tribute and great capture Michelle! #11006778

Carol L. Fowler March 23, 2014

Great portrait- love the flags too #11007080

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer March 24, 2014

WOW! A marvellous setting for this tribute speech and so much symbolism.

Thanks for the caption, Michelle.

I don't think we have that kind of honoring ceremonies in Denmark. But we should have. #11007253

frank w. degenhardt March 25, 2014

A beautiful symbolic look at what the soldiers do for their country, what they sacrifice. But we need to be doing so much more for them. Beautiful thought Michelle. #11007997

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