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Volunteer State
Veterans Honor Guard Civic Ceremonies
The
Following Three Ceremonies Can be Performed Upon Request
by the Volunteer
State Veterans Honor Guard
The Three Listed
Ceremonies Below Cannot be Performed at any Military Honors Funeral
Civic Ceremonies Only
1. Solider
Battlefield Cross
The Fallen Soldier
Battle Cross, Battlefield Cross or Battle Cross is a symbolic
replacement of a cross, or marker appropriate to an individual
service-member's religion,
on the
battlefield or at the base camp for a
soldier who has
been killed. It is made up of the soldier's
rifle stuck into
the ground or into the soldier's boots, with helmet on top.
Dog tags are
sometimes
placed on the rifle, and the boots of the dead soldier can be placed
next to the rifle. The purpose is to show honor and respect for the dead
at the battle
site. The practice started during the
American Civil War
or maybe earlier as a means of identifying the bodies on the
battleground before they were removed.
Today, it is an
immediate means of showing respect for the dead among the still living
members of the
troop. It might
be seen in the field or base camp after the battle
in
Afghanistan or
Iraq. Used less
today as a means to identify the dead but more as a private ceremony
among those still living as a means to mourn, as attending
the funeral is not
always possible for soldiers still in the fight.
Fallen Soldier Battle Cross,
Battlefield Cross or Battle Cross
To view this video, click on the
link below:
Lenght: 5:04
minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY5SQ9GXfpg
Video Created by Ann M Wolf
2. Missing Man
Table
The listed items are considered traditional. Some
commands and units may place headcovers or other items at the place
setting as well.
-
Table: set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one isolated
prisoner. The table is usually set close to, or within sight of, the
entrance to the dining room. For large events
-
of
the Missing Man Table is set for six places: members of the five armed
services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) and a
sixth place setting
-
reminiscent of the civilians who died during service alongside the armed
forces or missing during armed conflict . Table is round to represent
everlasting concern on the
-
part of the survivors for their missing loved ones.
-
Tablecloth is
white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their
country’s call to arms.
-
Single red rose in the vase, signifies the blood that many have shed in
sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America.
This rose also reminds us
-
of
the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while
awaiting their return.
-
Yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the
lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a
proper accounting of our comrades
-
who are not
among us tonight.[
-
Slice of lemon
on the bread plate: represents the bitter fate of the missing.
-
Salt sprinkled
on the bread plate: symbolic of the countless fallen tears of families
as they wait.
-
Inverted glass:
represents the fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake.
-
Lit candle:
reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate
their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful
nation.
-
Empty chair:
the missing and fallen aren't present.
-
The Bible
represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from
our country, founded as one nation under God.
Missing Man
Table
To view this video, click on the
link below:
Length: 6:57
minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89gtW95Ot6g
Video Created by Ann M Wolf
3. The Flag Folding
Ceremony - Meaning of each of the 13 Folds of the Flag
To view video, Click on the site below
Length: 6.41 Minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Lf9WTiawQ
Video Created by Ann M Wolf
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