We remember fallen, missing comrades Published Sept. 15, 2006 By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel 48th Fighter Wing commander ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- This week we honor those lost in New York, the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11, 2001, and we remember our fellow servicemembers who served as prisoners of war or are still missing in action. To pay tribute to these Americans who suffered and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, I wanted to share the following from the Missing Man Table and Honors Ceremony: The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty The single red rose 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 reminds 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 chairs are empty -- they are missing Many of our Liberty Wing dinner tables have an empty chair today. On Monday, the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Team Liberty deployed more than 150 warriors to support on-going operations around the world. Over the next few weeks, we'll send a total of almost 800 Airmen from RAF Lakenheath to put boots on the ground to continue the fight on the Global War on Terror. We also commemorated the start of our war on terrorism by honoring the victims of 9/11 with a memorial service at the base chapel Monday. RAF Lakenheath also recognized POW/MIA Day this week with a luncheon Wednesday that honored our fallen and missing comrades. Just last night we kicked off our 24-hour POW/MIA vigil, which ends tonight at 6 p.m. Like the prisoners of war and missing in action from previous wars, the Liberty Wing continues to answer the call to duty as so many have done before us. While some families shed tears about the departure of their loved ones, we also cheer and salute our Airmen for their service and dedication to our nation. To every co-worker, supervisor and chief, I thank you for supporting our families during their member's absence, even if it's just a simple phone call to say, "We're thinking about you, do you need anything?" For hardships experienced, families and warriors alike, I send a solemn salute for your service. You help to ensure Americans everywhere are afforded the freedom of speech, religion and freedom from fear, as well as many other rights other countries do not enjoy. Please join me in honoring America's POW/MIAs and our modern- day warriors as we end our vigil in the Lest We Forget Park, 6 p.m. tonight.