A Unique People of Conshohocken – seen at the VFW

A Unique People of Conshohocken – Seen at the VFW

8/2/2016

by Brian Coll

This is part of our People of Conshohocken series…

We have close to 10,000 people in our borough, add in the residents of West Conshohocken, Plymouth and Whitemarsh and we have a large community. Some of the people that will be featured will be well known in the area, some will have just moved into the area, some will have been here their entire lives. Some of them may be business owners, or people who walk around the area, or maybe work in the area. Maybe you know them, maybe you don’t. Everyone has a story. While we are only going to take their picture and maybe ask a question or two, we want to share these stories with you.

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       I’m not sure I ever fully understood this table, and honestly, having never fought in a war or served my country, I’m not sure that I ever fully will. It takes a special person to sign on the line and serve in our armed forces. I am so thankful for those who serve and protect our country. I have family members and friends who have served both home and abroad, during times of peace and war. I , like most Americans will never know what our men and women in uniform see when they are overseas, in an active war zone or not.

       This People of Conshohocken, isn’t your normal People of Conshohocken, this is our special tribute to those people from Conshohocken and West Conshohocken who never came back, not killed in action, but those who were Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. Finding this out about your loved one can be even more stressful on the families involved. Not that losing someone in battle is easy to take for anyone, but to find out that a family member or loved one is MIA or a POW can lead to years of hope every time the phone rings or someone knocks on the door only to get your heart broke again. Our thoughts are with you.

       If you are wondering what certain things symbolize on the table, I found this description to be helpful:

     The table is round to show our everlasting concern for our missing men and women. The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in a case, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a 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 or missing in a foreign land. The spilled 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 in inverted to symbolize their inability to share this day’s toast. The chair is empty because they are missing.  This was taken from ncrider.com.

      While I am not an expert, I have seen a few tables with something different, something missing, or something added to this description. I am just thankful that people, like the great people at the VFW do something like this to keep those missing in our thoughts.

     Speaking of the good people of the VFW, they had a bumpy couple of years with a few problems that for the most part were kept out of the public eye. A group of dedicated men and women righted the building issues, a few new vets got involved with the post and things seem to really be going well for them. Social Memberships are available. And if you want to see this table in person, stop in and check it out. You may even find a veteran there to talk to.

      You can check out our sister site www.conshystuffvets.com

      And we have to thank the good folks at Neal Eye Group for liking what we were doing with our People of Conshohocken series and wanting to sponsor it. Check them out at www.Conshohockeneye.com