Dear Friends,
This Veteran’s Day, we at Family Policy Alliance want to express our sincerest gratitude and honor to those currently serving, and those who have served, our great nation.
These heroic men and women wear their uniforms every day with both the honest pride of joining the ranks of those who came before them as well as the humility of the great burden they carry–protecting us and all the freedoms we cherish.
But still others live amongst us in a different humility: they walk next to us on the street, sit next to us in church, or cheer alongside us at high school football games, all while seeking no recognition or praise for what they and their families have endured on our behalf. Knowing that they truly protected what was dearest to them and to our nation is all the satisfaction they need.
Today and every day, we honor them and thank God for them. They represent so much of what makes our nation great: their service followed by their presence amongst us.
So, this Veteran’s Day, we ask you to join us in honoring our veterans who have served and are currently serving. And we hope you will partner with us to ensure that all they sacrificed for remains cherished in our nation’s laws.
Sincerely,
Joseph Kohm III
Director, Public Policy
In the little town of Anthem, Arizona north of Phoenix, a special memorial was erected in 2011. Its five white pillars represent the five branches of our military—yet it truly stands for all those who have put their lives at risk to serve our nation.
The memorial’s inspired design allows the sun’s rays to beam through slanted elliptical cylinders located at the top of each column so that on Veteran’s Day each year at approximately 11:11 AM, the Great Seal affixed on the ground is illuminated. The tribute to our Veterans relies upon the Almighty’s universal design to achieve its full effect.
Annually on Veteran’s Day, a special service takes place at this special site. The service culminates with the veneration of our service members and the recitation of the poem, The Missing Man Table shared with you below. I encourage you to read it.
As the son of a veteran and the father of three—the day holds special significance.
Thank you will never be sufficient for those who sacrifice and stand firm and take action (Dan. 11:32B) for the idea of America. An idea our Founders themselves—who I would say were inspired by the Divine—pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to defend. It’s an idea wrapped in the pledge, One Nation Under God, that we must continue to stand for today.
In awe and respect for our Vets,
Paul Weber
President & CEO
The Missing Man Table
The table is round – to show our everlasting concern.
The cloth is white – symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to serve.
The single red rose reminds us of the lives of these Americans….and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, while seeking answers.
The yellow ribbon symbolizes our continued uncertainty, hope for their return and determination to account for them.
A slice of lemon reminds us of their bitter fate, captured or missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families.
The lighted candle reflects our hope for their return.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted – to symbolize their inability to share a toast.
The chairs are empty – they are missing…
And always remembered—Amen!