Showing appreciation

EPHRATA — A lone table, with white tablecloth, single rose, red ribbon, slice of lemon, salt, empty wine glass, empty chair and an American flag, went unused.

The guest of honor couldn't make it.

The setting was for American soldiers, the ones who never came home.

"The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, along against his or her oppressors. The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions in responding to their country's call to arms.

"The single rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. The rose also reminds us of the families and friends, of our missing comrades, who kept the faith while waiting their return.

"The red ribbon on the vase represents the red ribbons worn on lapels of thousands who demanded with unyielding determination, a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us.

"A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of the families as they wait.

"The glass is inverted. They cannot toast with us at this time. The chair is empty. They are not here.

"The American flag reminds us that many of them may never return - and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom," President of the American Legion Auxiliary Jane Montaney said.

The dinner Sunday was to show appreciation for supporters of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary at the Art Semro Post in Ephrata.

Certificates of appreciation were passed out to volunteers, donors and businesses, all of who helped the legion with the long list of activities performed on behalf of veterans, soldiers serving the United States and their families.

"The meal itself is our way of saying, 'Thank you,'" said Montaney. "The troops all know we care for them."

Saint Rose of Lima Catholic School was one of the organizations recognized.

"We get a lot more than we give," said Principal John Lane.

The Red Hat Society was given appreciation for their extensive efforts to support legion projects.

"We're happy to do anything we can to help," said representative Em Corkins.

As new Commander Larry McCarty and Montaney passed out compliments and the certificates, the lone table displayed what the legion's efforts stand for, the soldiers and their families.

The 272-member legion post, comprised of members from Ephrata, Soap Lake, Wilson Creek and a few from Moses Lake, work year-round to provide comfort to soldiers and their families through donations, volunteer work and efforts to remember the ones who have fallen.

When taking over the legion building from the Elks in 2004, legion members named it after Art Semro. He was the first American casualty in World War I, the first casualty from Grant County in the Great War, and he was from Wilson Creek.

Both the legion and auxiliary work year-round on projects to help our soldiers. Montaney talked about pocket flags for soldiers. They are small flags folded into triangles and sent to soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. She said in many places the troops are not allowed to display the American flag, to avoid the appearance the United States conquered the country. Instead, the soldiers can carry a small version in their pockets.

"It's a piece of home they can carry with them," she said.

The legion also sent hand towels overseas for American servicemen and women to use. Montaney said some legion and auxiliary volunteers converted regular bath towels into the smaller versions once they ran out of hand towels.

The organization also works on providing quilts and blankets for veterans, and gathering clothes for Iraqis receiving help from American medical services. The volunteers continue working to provide as much support in many more ways.

A new effort involves seeking veteran families, whose soldier never returned home, to provide the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command a DNA sample. Montaney said remains continue to be returned to the United States from past wars and armed conflicts. But without matching DNA, it is impossible to identify them. She asks surviving family members to contact the organization on the Internet at www.jpac.pacom.mil.

As the certificates were passed out during the dinner, it was obvious the recipients were more appreciative of the legion and auxiliary. It's their efforts that provide a chance for everyone to pitch in to support America's soldiers and their families.