POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony
Sir Knights of the Fr Henry Miller Assembly 2308 in Tucson, AZ hosted the 2nd Annual POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony September 18, 2015. The UofA Navy & Marine Corp ROTC Midshipmen conduct the Table Ceremony under the direction of Capt. Nick Radloff, USAF. A Special thanks to Principal Roll for allowing the Knights to conduct the ceremony..
Captions:
#1 A beautiful day to remember the sacrifices made by the men & women of our Armed Forces, especially the Prisoners of War and those who return home we still wait for... Flag flying over the Four Chaplains Memorial in the School Courtyard...
#3 Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School Principal Mrs Charlene Roll introduces the event and discusses the importance of the day and sacrifices made by the men and women of the US Armed Forces to keep us free.
#5 Principal Roll & Ceremony Emcee SK Robert Roll behind the center table filled with symbolism...
#7 Color Guard of KofC Assembly 2308 present the colors
#8 Color Guard member SK Chris Mayer
#9 The table full of symbolism... the White Table Cloth symbolizes the purity of their intention to respond to their country's call to arms so that their children could remain free...Remember...
#10 The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our Country...
#11 A Slice of Lemon reminds us of their bitter fate if we do not bring them home... The Glasses are Inverted because they can not toast with us tonight- maybe tomorrow, if we Remember...
#13 Major Dale Richardson, US Army... Missing in Action 1970, Recovered and buried with full military honors in 2015...
#15 Remember... The United States Marine Corp...
#17 Remember... The United States Navy...
#19 Bell rings to remind us to always Remember their sacrifices.... Future Knight Billy Barrett rings the bell...
#20 Battlefield Cross... Honors all those who have fallen in battle for our Country... Remember...
#21 Midshipmen enter holding the hats of the branches of the US Military- Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard...Remember...
#23 Circling the table... SK Captain Nick Radloff narrating the Ceremony....
#25 The Lone Candle symbolizes the frailty of a prisoner alone, trying to stand up to his oppressors...Remember... The Single Rose represents the loved ones and families of our comrades in arms who keep the faith and await their return... Remember..
#27 Midshipmen shake Salt on the dinner plates to symbolize the families' tears as they wait and Remember...
#28 Capt Radloff extinguishes the Lone Candle at the end of the Ceremony...
#27 Worthy District Marshall Drew Mansager plays Amazing Grace on the Bag Pipes...
#100 Color Guard retrieves the the Colors...
#103 Colors have been retired...
#107 Group Photo of all of those who made this Special Event possible for the students at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School in Tucson AZ
Chris and I attended this respectful and honorable event, the POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony. It was apparent that the Color Guard and the ROTC Members practiced this program to where it was professional, well thought out, and near perfect. Every School should witness this solemn program. I know that the Color Guard and ROTC Members would love to perform this program again, schedule permitting.
ReplyDeleteThe Worthy Grand Knight of the Bishop Francis J. Green Council #11855, SK Robert Role was the Master of Ceremonies. He spoke with impeccable distinction for the approximately forty-five seventh and eighth grade students of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic School that were in attendance and others.
Additionally, Brother Billy Barrett (he will be joining the Knights in July when he turns 18) of #11855 rang the brass bell on perfect cue when he heard the word, "Remember." Brother Billy swelled with pride for he and SK Rick Riess built the wooden support stand for said brass bell.
To complete this event, SK Drew Mansager played Amazing Grace, on the bagpipes. The mournful sound of the bagpipes emphasized the reverence everyone felt at the end of the POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony.
You can tell that the future of the Military will be in capable hands after watching the precise movements of the five ROTC Members around the symbolism table and then afterwards listening to their conversations.
Air Force Captain, SK Nick L. Radloff, read with the utmost pride, the Symbolism Table Ceremony performed by the ROTC Members. He has been accepted into the Military Chaplain Vocation Program. We wish him the best and pray for his Priesthood Ordination.
Finally, Chris and I could not be more proud of the Father Henry Miller Assembly #2308 Color Guard. Their creativity, logistical assignments, and program performance was phenomenal! Thank you, Worthy Captain, SK William Barrett, III.
Vivat Jesus! Remember. . .