Brockport Youth Honors the Fallen
Teaching the next generation to honor and respect the sacrifices made by those who have served in the military is important to the Fisher family of Brockport. Mom Sarah says, “As a former military family, an American, and most importantly a mom, it is my duty to educate my young son on the significance behind our federal holidays with military significance.” Beyond homeschool lessons on Veterans Day and the different branches service, the Fishers have turned education into action.
On Memorial Day, her then-four-year-old son, Brax, was welcomed into five area restaurants to arrange Missing Man Tables, also known as Fallen Comrade Tables or White Tables. The tables provide an opportunity for restaurant patrons to reflect on and commemorate those who have fallen, are missing in action, or are prisoners of war.
A Missing Man Table consists of:
•A small table set for one – symbolizing the fact that some are missing from our ranks.
•White tablecloth – symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
•Black napkin – represents the sorrow of captivity.
•A single red rose in a vase – signifies the blood shed to ensure America’s freedom.
•A yellow ribbon around the vase represents a demand for proper accounting of those who are not among us today.
•A lemon slice on the plate – to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate.
•Grains of salt on the plate – reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
•An inverted glass – because they cannot toast with us.
•An empty chair – because they are not here.
•A white candle – for the hope that all our missing will return someday.
On November 10, now five-year-old Brax visited five more local restaurants – 58 Main BBQ & Brew, Custom House, Ridge Runners, Robbie’s Bar and Grill, and Kim’s Woodshed – to set the symbolic tables for Veterans Day. The family sees it as a way to give back to the community. Sarah said, “Our dream is to create even more relationships with local establishments in order to provide such a symbolic set-up for both military holidays.”
At one location, Sarah noticed a man standing off to the side watching Brax set the table. He became emotional with tears rolling down his face. She approached the gentleman and learned that he was a veteran, having served in the Air Force. “This is why we are doing what we are doing!” Sarah said. “We hope that over time, we can grow our efforts and impact more and more individuals.”
The Fishers hope that enough restaurants join in so that other families can participate in setting up the tables, further supporting the education of future generations. Local establishments interested in participating for Memorial Day and Veterans Day are invited to email ssegal11@yahoo.com.
