The reason we had gone to Monterey was that Chris' squadron was having a Dining Out on Saturday night. A formal dinner with a whole lot of nonsense paired with just enough serious thought to make for a great time.
At any formal dinner/ball held by the Navy (I believe all branches of the military actually do this, though I'm not positive), you'll see this table set for their missing comrades:
"The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.
The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's toast.
The chair is empty -- they are missing.
Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America's POW/MIAs and to the success of our efforts to account for them. "
The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's toast.
The chair is empty -- they are missing.
Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America's POW/MIAs and to the success of our efforts to account for them. "
And for the nonsense...that's Chris on the end with the fake mustache and tiny sombrero, singing 'God Bless America' to "entertain the mess".
We clean up nice, huh?
you guys look GREAT! i'm glad to got to get away for a while on your OWN - isn't it great not having to cut someone else's food or carry a diaper bag? Hooray!
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