Eat for those who cannot

A table sits unoccupied representing U.S. service members who have been prisoners of war or missing-in-action and are now gone, unable to attend, during a POW/MIA breakfast at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 14. The table is round symbolizing the everlasting concern for those lost; the cloth is white standing for the purity and willingness to answer their country's call to arms; the wineglass is inverted because those gone cannot toast with those attending; the single rose reminds us of families waiting for a loved one to return; the slice of lemon represents the bitter fate of those not home; salt on the table stands for the tears of families who are waiting; and finally, the bible represents strength achieved from faith, helping to sustain those lost from the U.S., founded as one nation under god. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez)(RELEASED)

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Run to not forget

Members of Team Whiteman display a scroll with the names of all those who have been prisoners of war or gone missing-in-action as a U.S. service member since WWI, during the opening ceremony of a POW/MIA run at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 13. The scroll was rolled and put in a case to be carried by a runner at all times throughout the 24-hour POW/MIA run. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez)

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Run to not forget

Col. Robert Spalding, 509th Bomb Wing vice commander, expresses how difficult the loss of a loved one is, and how important it is to not forget those who have sacrificed for the U.S., during the opening ceremony of the prisoner of war and missing-in-action run Sept. 13. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez)

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Run to not forget

Flyers are brought to the prisoner of war and missing-in-action run opening ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 13. The POW/MIA run was to show respect to those who have sacrificed for their country and for their family members who are left behind. The run's goal is to remind all that we will not forget. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez)

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Run to not forget

Tech. Sgt. Eric Brambila, 509th Maintenance Squadron, lights the torch during a ceremony to start the prisoner of war and missing-in-action run at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 13. The annual POW/MIA run lasts 24-hours and is done annually to show respect to service members who have sacrificed themselves in the sake of their country and the family member they leave behind. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez)

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Members of the 509th Medical Group run past a military memorial representing a fallen service member and those who have gone missing-in-action during the POW*MIA run, Sept. 13. The 24-hour prisoner of war and missing-in-action run was supported by 18 base units in honor those who have been POWs or MIAs and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Cody Ramirez)

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Eat for those who cannot

Honor Guard members salute empty spots representing those who could not be there during a prisoner of war and missing-in-action breakfast at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 14. The POW/MIA breakfast showed respect and support to those who have sacrificed for our country and the families they may have left behind. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez) (RELEASED)

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Eat for those who cannot

Edwin Rodriguez, retired chief and husband of Theresa Rodriguez, 509th Medical Group commander, raises his glass to toast those U.S. service members who have been prisoners of war or missing-in-action, during a POW/MIA breakfast at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 14. More than 80,000 U.S., service members have been POW/MIAs throughout the past century. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior airman Cody H. Ramirez) (RELEASED)

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Eat for those who cannot

Mark Clark, retired Air Force chief master sergeant, speaks during a prisoner of war and missing-in-action breakfast at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 14. The POW/MIA breakfast showed respect and support to those who have sacrificed for our country and the families they may have left behind. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez)(RELEASED)

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Lest We Forget

Published Sept. 19, 2012

Eat for those who cannot

Run to not forget

Run to not forget

Run to not forget

Run to not forget

Eat for those who cannot

Eat for those who cannot

Eat for those who cannot