MOUNT VERNON — A few moments of solemnity and remembrance preceded the more festive activities at the September First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon.
Under the command of LTC Christopher Salvucci, cadets in the Air Force JROTC at the Knox County Center performed the POW-MIA Table Ceremony, giving the audience on Public Square a rare glimpse into an almost sacred ritual performed at military balls and dinners. The ceremony honors those servicemen and women who were or still are prisoners of war or missing in action.
“If we don’t remember our fallen or missing comrades,” Salvucci said in explaining the ceremony, “who will?”
Cadet Bethany Kelly gave the narration as Cadet Tiffany Talbot performed the ceremony. Kelly told what each object and the empty chair at the table signifies, saying “Remember” after each phrase.
Other cadets participating included Kameron Lepley, Dusty Bowers, Max Heindl, Jeff Willey and Abigayle Rogers.
