Poe Middle School honors veterans with “white table”
Poe Middle School is commemorating Veterans’ Day with a replica of “America’s White Table,” as described in the book of that name by Margot Theis Raven (interesting coincidence, as the raven is Poe’s mascot) and illustrated by Mike Benny.
The placard explains the display “honors the men and women who serve in America’s armed forces,” especially those who are missing in action or prisoners of war. The small table represents “one soldier’s lonely battle against many.” The white cloth honors a soldier’s pure heart when answering the country’s call to duty. The empty chair is for missing soldiers, and the black napkin stands for the sorrow of captivity. The lemon slice and grains of salt on the plate represent a captive soldier’s fate and tears of their families waiting at home. The upside down glass is for the meal that won’t be eaten. The white candle represents peace, and the red rose tied with a red ribbon is for the hope that those missing will return.