The Petersburg Sheriff’s Office has prepared a seat at the table for “fallen comrade” in its office. The Missing Man Table, also known as the “Fallen Comrade Table,” serves as a reminder to viewers of American military service personnel who have been killed or gone missing. Every object on the Missing Man Table stands for the sentiments and emotions saved for the people who failed to return home. The ritual represents their presence here in spirit.
A small table set for one symbolizes the isolation of the absent service member. A white tablecloth
symbolizes the pure intentions of the service members who responded to the country’s call to arms. A single rose in the vase symbolizes the blood that service members have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of the United States of America. This rose also represents the family and friends who keep the faith while awaiting the return of the missing service members. The yellow ribbon represents a love of country that inspired the service members to serve the country. A slice of lemon on the bread plate represents the bitter fate of the missing. Salt sprinkled on the plate symbolizes the tears shed by waiting families. An inverted glass represents the fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake. A lit candle symbolizes a light of hope that lives in hearts to illuminate the missing’s way home. Lastly, an empty chair to represent the absence of the missing and fallen.
Sheriff Vanessa R. Crawford and the men and women of the Petersburg Sheriff’s Office understand and empathize whole heartedly, and is lockstep in solidarity and in spirit, with the families and loved ones of those brave men and women who are missing at their dinner tables. That is why the Petersburg Sheriff’s Office prepared a seat at the table for our “fallen comrade” inside of our office. Our thoughts and prayers are forever with those affected by this loss
